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Antique

Antique Victorian Walnut Clark's Spool Cotton Cabinet With Reverse Painted Glass

Antique Victorian Walnut Clark's Spool Cotton Cabinet With Reverse Painted Glass

$2,875.00 USD
$2,875.00 USD
Sale Sold out

With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this exceptional and rare late 19th century spool cabinet. At this point in history spools of cotton remained one of the most demanded household items and these cabinets were constructed for both commercial and individual purposes. Many spool cabinets built specifically for individual at home use contain two to six drawers with fairly regular sized proportions. Commercial spool cabinets were designed with far more sophistication and generally had stunning graphics intended to promote over the counter sales and elevate the brand name as a whole. Companies such as Clark's, Merrick, Willimantic, J & P Coates, and others contended with one another for better placement in the market by designing their spool cabinets to stand out amidst a crowded market full of competition. Today collectors cherish these cabinets as nothing came along after the 19th century quite like them to suit the needs of those looking to house collections of artifacts, curiosities, or valuables. We have owned many spool cabinets throughout half a century of continual operations and count this example among the absolute finest which we have publicly offered for the consideration of collectors across the country.

The moment we first encountered this spool cabinet was filled with sheer delight. After half a century it takes something truly special and remarkable to get us excited. This cabinet was purchased out of a collector's home who had placed it beside a sofa to use as an end table. The significance of this fact is that this spool cabinet is uncommonly large and therefore uncommonly rare. We have had these cabinets in all shapes and sizes, but never before had we found one so large and in such wonderful condition. Generally, these spool cabinets, even when constructed for commercial purposes are not very large. A quick internet search will reveal dealers with what at first appear to be comparable examples but without the benefit of having this cabinet in front of you personally the significance of its size is not immediately obvious. After all, pictures on the internet are all the same size and recorded dimensions do not always compute visually until you have the piece presently before you. That's the difference between this spool cabinet and similar looking examples sold across the country, the grand size and immaculate show worthy condition.

The entirety of the walnut case is in wonderful condition as apparent from the photos we have made available. The reverse painted name placards are as pristine as you can ever hope to find with only minimal paint loss and a tiny glass loss along the lowest panel. We do not offer spool cabinets with restored, replaced, or reproduction drawer fronts. All of our antiques are offered in as found estate condition, and it is always up to the collector to choose how they wish to proceed with distressed cabinets. There is no need for such considerations here at the entirety of the piece is in exceptional condition and overall the piece is truly one of the finest specimens of its kind. We are not particularly eager to part with it but based on past experience we have no doubt that a collector who has been around the block will immediate take this off the market and make a home for it. All we hope is that the next owner cares for it as we do and as all previous parties who have owned this spool cabinet cherished it before us. This spool cabinet measures 28 1/2" wide x 18 3/4" deep x 22 1/2" tall.

 

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