Thread: Display Cabinet

There appears to be a glass counter type display case behind it which would be about 900mm high so perhaps you can work it out from that.

Ian you going to use some Canadian Red?

I like the shape and agree looks like counter top display.

Hi Ian ,
That type of display cabinet is a slightly later version of a Victorian fad . They were seen in great numbers around the 1860s 70s or 70s 80s ? A lot of the time with string inlays and fine leafy veneer work that match the stringing.Also Ormolu Brass mounts , see Ormolu Mounts: Antiques | eBay
The popular wood at the time for them was Walnut in veneers and solid on the same piece. Your one looks like a Walnut one to me.
Roughly,with a guess with memory, they were around 1000 high 800 wide and in the body , 200 deep ,so add over hang of the top to that.
If I was looking to do one I'd pick up a Carters guide or the English Millers . they will have the style and the measurements with the picture .
Edit, Compare your picture to the known dimensions in the other pictures, draw it and see how it looks.

I just searched ebay , after I guessed the dimensions , Ha ha . Got it close except for the depth.
The date is earlier than I was thinking, your pic looks about 1890?
There are more on UK ebay as well .

see Antique Pier Cabinet Victorian Burr Walnut Music Display Cupboard English C1850 | eBay


Rob

Thanks Rob

Your dimensions of around 1000 (h) x 800 (w) x 300 (d) are a bit bigger that my memory of the size of this one which I thought was wide enough to comfortable take a #5, so around 800 x 500 x 250. I recall that around the time I saw this piece the same antiques shop had one or two cabinets, chests of drawers in Aust Red Cedar which I'm sure were Railway apprentice training pieces and I wonder if this particular cabinet may also be such an example.

I've just started drawing it up to work out the construction details. I'm really attracted to the size, clean lines and understated details on this piece and now I have a proper description I can search for additional examples.

thank you again

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Ian you going to use some Canadian Red?

I like the shape and agree looks like counter top display.

I haven't decided on what timber to use.
I might use Cherry or Maple.

Ian

Your first picture shows your piece backed up against either a sideboard or a carving board. The back of such pieces is around 1200mm high.

This would then suggest that the height of your display cupboard would have to be around 1500 - 1700mm. To be in reasonable proportions width would have to be 900 - 1100mm and depth 350 - 450mm.

A cardboard mock-up or light frame of the overall dimensions could be very useful in "guessing" the final measurements.

Yvan

Hi Ian, I think it's still there! I was in Mittagong last week doing a trawl of antique shops and I think I saw it in the big 'collective' antique shop near the middle of town? Strangely I am going back today but to lunch although I may be able to sneak out unnoticed?
I'm sure no-one will notice the bulge of the tape measure in my pocket.

fletty

Yvan

Thanks for that.
In my photo, the pier cabinet (thanks Rob for the name) is sitting on either a sideboard or a another display case, I don't recall which, would has lifted the bottom of the cabinet to around 900 mm. I remember that I couldn't see the top of the piece -- my eye height is around 170 cm -- but I could easily touch the top of the piece which would put the piece's height at no more than about a metre.

Originally Posted by fletty

Hi Ian, I think it's still there! I was in Mittagong last week doing a trawl of antique shops and I think I saw it in the big 'collective' antique shop near the middle of town? Strangely I am going back today but to lunch although I may be able to sneak out unnoticed?
I'm sure no-one will notice the bulge of the tape measure in my pocket.

fletty

WOW !!

From memory, the piece was in the "shop" opposite the lights at teh corner of the Old Hume Highway and the road to Bowral.

Some basic dimensions would be great -- but only if you can "escape" lunch

I agree , the one in your picture looks more dainty than the ones I pictured . I think a good way of ending up with what you want is to roughly draw to scale something that you know the dimensions of that is close , then draw what fits your needs next to it and compare . This if getting the same proportional width to height is important .

Rob

Originally Posted by fletty

I'm sure no-one will notice the bulge of the tape measure in my pocket.

and even if they do,

you're only checking if the piece will fit in the space back home

Originally Posted by ian

and even if they do,

you're only checking if the piece will fit in the space back home

.... or just pleased to see them ?

Originally Posted by auscab

I agree , the one in your picture looks more dainty than the ones I pictured . I think a good way of ending up with what you want is to roughly draw to scale something that you know the dimensions of that is close , then draw what fits your needs next to it and compare . This if getting the same proportional width to height is important .

Rob

so what do people think ?
drawn at 550 mm wide and 850 high (using the Golden ratio proportions).

how big is the average keyhole?