With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this wonderful antique spool cabinet. Around the second half of the 19th century most general stores in America displayed impressive floor standing or countertop cabinets to showcase the leading manufacturers of silk thread or spooled cotton thread available for purchase. As demand continued to rise the display cabinets designed to house these spools of silk or cotton threads became more elaborate and eye catching as to stimulate commerce within these general stores. Companies such as Willimantic, Merrick's, Clark's, J & P Coates and others competed for a larger share of the market by increasing and improving their advertising graphics and producing grander and more elaborate spool cabinets to capture the attention of prospective buyers. The Belding Brothers were among the major producers of silk and cotton thread during the latter half of the 19th century with factories located in Canada, California, Michigan, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. They also expanded showrooms to a dozen major cities between America and Canada with traveling salesmen promoting their company across most of both countries.
This spool cabinet is constructed with solid oak and features the original mirrored glass door. The cabinet features raised panel sides and a single drawer beneath the mirror. The door opens to reveal several shelves and plenty of interior cabinet space for storage. The cabinet is complete with the original Victorian hardware and gold advertising decals that have remained in excellent condition. Of particular interest is the original paper affixed to the back of the cabinet indicating that the retailer of the threads did not retain ownership of this cabinet and that it still remained the property of The Belding Brothers. This feature reveals just how much value was placed on the cabinet originally as it was not intended to be disregarded or given away as a promotion. The cabinet measures 22 1/4" wide x 16 1/2" deep x 39 1/2" tall.
