J.H. Smith Mahogany Display Cabinet with Metal Trim
An early 20th century J.H. Smith of England tall narrow display cabinet, the mahogany frame with white metal trim, rectangular form, single full height door with two brass latches, raised on original gilt metal claw feet. Maker's label to interior. Three glass shelves included. 22.44 in. x 14.17 in. x 75.79 in.
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- Mahogany - Mahogany is a dense, close grained red-coloured timber from the West Indies and Central America. It was first imported into Europe in the the early 18th century and its use continued through the 19th century. It was popular for furniture making because of its strength, the wide boards available, the distinctive grain on some boards, termed flame mahogany and the rich warm colour of the timber when it was polished.. The "flame" was produced where a limb grew out from the trunk of the tree, and this timber was usually sliced into veneers for feature panels on doors, backs and cornices.
Some terms used to describe mahogany relate to the country from which it originally came, such as "Cuban" mahogany, "Honduras" mahogany etc. However unless the wood has been tested the names assigned are more a selling feature, rather than a true indication of the timber's origin. - Claw Feet - Carved or cast in the shape of a lion's claw or the talons of other more fabulous beasts. They may be found on chair and table legs, supporting platform bases, and cabinets in the Classical Revival manner. Claw feet are not uncommon on Australian furniture made throughout the 1850s and 1860s, though, as with all forms of carving, the deeper and richer the claws are carved, the earlier the piece is likely to be.
This item has been included into following indexes:
- display cabinets, material - mahogany 285
- display cabinets, period, age or style
