A British Colonial Bookcase

This large antique book cabinet was made from solid teak wood and dates to the 1920s During the British Empire in India and Burma, much furniture was made in the Anglo-Indian style using native hardwoods and native craftsmen. Styles closely matched European ones of the same period but vintage colonial pieces tend to be much sturdier and heavier. This piece has been lightly restored, with some added surface stain and a waxed finish. The glass panes are new.Teak was favored for British Colonial bookcases in part due to the fact that it was ideal for protecting paper documents and books from voracious tropical insects. The delicate scent of teak is noxious to insects and it would gradually build up behind glass, protecting the contents inside. After independence in 1948, many bookcases continued to be used in government offices, shops, and private homes. Many are still in use, some coming on the market each year. In modern homes, they are ideal for books, display of artifacts and curios,