19TH CENTURY SCHOOL CUPBOARD
Code:F8
A Victorian two door pine school cupboard fitted with two lovely drawers sporting cup handles. We think this piece is rather special.
HISTORY:
This cupboard had two lives as it was used firstly in a Victorain school and then in an old pipe organ making factory called Mander Organ Builders in Bethnal Green, East London which sadly had to close its doors. Mander Organ Builders traces its history back well over 150 years. This part of the company was formed in 1936 and ceased trading in 2020.
The cupboard didn’t have to move far, in fact, not at all as the organ company moved premises in 1947 to the Victorian school itself which too had closed down before the war and belonged to the London Diocese. The cupboard was clearly used by the organ builders as the inside of the doors displays hanging swatches and felts for use in the making of organs.
Although well known for many years in the organ building industry, Mander achieved wider notability in 2004 with the refurbishment of the Royal Albert Hall’s Father Willis Grand Organ.
Condition:
We have cleaned, oiled and waxed the cupboard without losing its patination. There is a vertical crack to the left hand side of the door as shown as shown in one of the photos. Doors have had, at some point, additional lock/door holes made.
Dimensions: H:154cm(60.62in) W:122cm(48.03in) W:50cm(19.68in)