Antique Cabinets
The English choice of cabinets, most preferred in the 1800s was the 17th century antique cabinet on stand. It was usually fitted with several drawers, cupboards and secret compartments and was usually enclosed by a pair of panelled doors which were sometimes decorated with marquetry inlay. Designs for the cabinet on stand were still being produced at the end of the 18th century but by the time the pieces were more for decoration than practical use.
In the 18th century the ‘china display case’ was created for the display of oriental porcelain and frequently decorated in the chinoiserie style to match the items within.
The wealth created from the industrial revolution made the side cabinet an essential piece of furniture in all but the poorest of homes. By the mid 1800s the ownership of porcelain items was no longer just for the very rich, now far more people aspired to the possession of things worthy of display and several new ceramics factories both at home and abroad worked to satisfy this growing appetite.
The result was an explosion of designs for cabinets and antique displays, some dripping with ormolu, some richly inlaid in fine woods or cut brass, others in the style of Sheraton and Adams.
The antique cabinet most associated with the victorian period is the the credenza. The antique credenza takes its name from a 15th century Italian buffet and is distinguished by the bowed or serpentine shaped shelving which flanks its central cupboard. These shelved sections are sometimes open but are most frequently glazed. Burr walnut credenzas were the most popular especially with good quality inlay.
