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Cedar Wardrobe 1877 - Maker Alex Norton
Negotiable
Offered for "Expressions of Interest" is an original Australian Cedar Wardrobe of substantial historical significance.
It was commissioned by the Roman Catholic Church (St. Augustine's Balmain) to be made by Sydney cabinetmakers Alex W. Norton for the opening of the Convent of the Immaculate Conception on 22 April 1877. A complete account of provenance will be provided to the purchaser.
It is original, complete & unmodified.
It shows an original ink on paper label -
"ALEX W. NORTON CABINETMAKER UPHOLSTERER & COMMISSION AGENT FROM RAPHAEL & Co.'s late LENEHAN'S Furniture carefully removed 54 HUNTER STREET SYDNEY".
This particular label, showing the address of 54 Hunter street, represented the workshop trading period 1873 to 1877.
Alexander William Norton (1827 -1909) was employed by Andrew Lenehan as the workshop production superintendent. In 1869 he & another employee of Lenehan, cabinetmaker Henry W. Strong, opened their own cabinetmaking business. The workshop was renowned for high quality cabinetmaking & much gothic & church related furniture was produced. The business continued into the early 20th century.
Alex Norton judged at the intercolonial exhibition Sydney 1870 & exhibited at the international exhibition Sydney 1879 where he was awarded numerous, well documented, high commendations.
Examples of Norton's various maker's labels plus photographs of his cabinet work can be found on numerous pages in "Nineteenth Century Australian Furniture" by Fahey, Simpson & Simpson.
The quality of manufacture, as expected of the manufacturer, is of the highest possible grade. The entire wardrobe is constructed of select cuts of Australian Cedar & the finish is absolutely original. The backing is perfect & is of face grade cedar. Each side & each door panel are single cedar boards.
The patination is warm, mellow & well polished. It has not been damaged, repaired, stripped, cleaned, repolished or modified. It is pristine.
The design is strictly classical & of Grecian "Golden Proportion". The feature panelled doors are framed with Norton's trademark deep oval section mouldings which are then repeated in the plinth & pediment. The figured cedar ogee pediment is perfectly balanced by the 4 inch plinth skirt.
The structure is sound without splits, cracks, rot or borer activity. The full joinery, dovetailed drawer fits & slides well. Every panel is a precision fit. Five removable cedar shelves are fitted to the right hand side. They are original & the leading edges are reeded.
The brass lock operates perfectly & it is complete with original key plus a spare. The left hand door is fitted with top & bottom recessed brass shot bolts. Each door operates perfectly without sag.
The "campaign" brass handle fitted to the boot drawer is original & is numbered.
The original moulded dust strip is intact. All interior coat hooks are original.
Each side is fitted with a gothic, brass, crucifix coat hook. This crucifix features prominently on the old stone building of St. Augustine's.
Dimensions are 83 inches tall, 54 inches wide & 24 inches deep. The interior depth is 18 inches which accommodates a modern coat hanger.
The wardrobe dismantles into two sections - the main body & the pediment (top).
This is a rare & desirable example of early Australiana that has impeccable credentials. It will suit the most discerning Australiana collector or connoisseur of early labelled Australian furniture
It was commissioned by the Roman Catholic Church (St. Augustine's Balmain) to be made by Sydney cabinetmakers Alex W. Norton for the opening of the Convent of the Immaculate Conception on 22 April 1877. A complete account of provenance will be provided to the purchaser.
It is original, complete & unmodified.
It shows an original ink on paper label -
"ALEX W. NORTON CABINETMAKER UPHOLSTERER & COMMISSION AGENT FROM RAPHAEL & Co.'s late LENEHAN'S Furniture carefully removed 54 HUNTER STREET SYDNEY".
This particular label, showing the address of 54 Hunter street, represented the workshop trading period 1873 to 1877.
Alexander William Norton (1827 -1909) was employed by Andrew Lenehan as the workshop production superintendent. In 1869 he & another employee of Lenehan, cabinetmaker Henry W. Strong, opened their own cabinetmaking business. The workshop was renowned for high quality cabinetmaking & much gothic & church related furniture was produced. The business continued into the early 20th century.
Alex Norton judged at the intercolonial exhibition Sydney 1870 & exhibited at the international exhibition Sydney 1879 where he was awarded numerous, well documented, high commendations.
Examples of Norton's various maker's labels plus photographs of his cabinet work can be found on numerous pages in "Nineteenth Century Australian Furniture" by Fahey, Simpson & Simpson.
The quality of manufacture, as expected of the manufacturer, is of the highest possible grade. The entire wardrobe is constructed of select cuts of Australian Cedar & the finish is absolutely original. The backing is perfect & is of face grade cedar. Each side & each door panel are single cedar boards.
The patination is warm, mellow & well polished. It has not been damaged, repaired, stripped, cleaned, repolished or modified. It is pristine.
The design is strictly classical & of Grecian "Golden Proportion". The feature panelled doors are framed with Norton's trademark deep oval section mouldings which are then repeated in the plinth & pediment. The figured cedar ogee pediment is perfectly balanced by the 4 inch plinth skirt.
The structure is sound without splits, cracks, rot or borer activity. The full joinery, dovetailed drawer fits & slides well. Every panel is a precision fit. Five removable cedar shelves are fitted to the right hand side. They are original & the leading edges are reeded.
The brass lock operates perfectly & it is complete with original key plus a spare. The left hand door is fitted with top & bottom recessed brass shot bolts. Each door operates perfectly without sag.
The "campaign" brass handle fitted to the boot drawer is original & is numbered.
The original moulded dust strip is intact. All interior coat hooks are original.
Each side is fitted with a gothic, brass, crucifix coat hook. This crucifix features prominently on the old stone building of St. Augustine's.
Dimensions are 83 inches tall, 54 inches wide & 24 inches deep. The interior depth is 18 inches which accommodates a modern coat hanger.
The wardrobe dismantles into two sections - the main body & the pediment (top).
This is a rare & desirable example of early Australiana that has impeccable credentials. It will suit the most discerning Australiana collector or connoisseur of early labelled Australian furniture
- Date Listed:17/04/2024
- Last Edited:17/04/2024
- Condition:Used
- Shipping:Pickup Only
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