With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this wonderful antique two drawer office file. This example was produced by National Cabinet during the end of 19th century at the height of the Victorian design movement. It would have served the needs of someone with an office who required a smaller cabinet to house important papers such as receipts, bills, or invoices. Although these cabinets are quite practical, they have become exceptionally rare and hard to find considering how popular and useful they are. The majority of these cabinets which still exist are in private ownership and do not trade hands often as there is very little incentive to part with them. Aside from their obvious beauty, the sheer practicality and manageable size of them ensure they remain heirloom antiques past through the family from one generation to another. These cabinets are typically intended to go on top of antique desks but now with laptops and home computer monitors they are often placed on taller file cabinets or something akin to a printer's cabinet or side table.
This cabinet is in wonderful condition with a solid walnut case that has retained a beautiful color. The top does have discoloration marks however we prefer that they remain because it adds some character and charm to the piece. The cabinet is so clean and well cared for we do not want it confused with a reproduction, so we welcome the added depth the markings provide as an indication of its naturally long life. The maker "National Cabinet" stenciled their name across in gold block lettering and this element has also remained in wonderful condition. Often these stenciled letters are heavily faded or get sanded off in the refinishing process. The cabinet features a grooved gridwork design upon both sides and continued on each drawer faces. Two holders of paper identification labels crafted from nickel, or German silver as it was often marketed as in the past, remain in excellent condition affixed to each drawer face. The top drawer features a partition in the center which can be removed easily while the bottom drawer has no partitions or drawer dividers. Both the top and base of the cabinet are finely molded further enhancing the overall quality of this cabinet. This antique desktop file cabinet measures 15 3/4" wide x 12 1/2" deep x 12 1/2" tall.
