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sellingantiques.co.uk
ID #SA875042
FOR SALE
£1,675
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A Superb 'Type' Specimen Collectors Cabinet in Mahogany and Satin Wood. Circa 1870.
Atropos Antiques
for sale €1,960     $2,127
£1,675

Atropos Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Nov 2011
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Id #SA875042
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A Superb 'Type' Specimen Collectors Cabinet in Mahogany and Satin Wood. Circa 1870.

19th century
For Sale by Atropos Antiques
Description

A superb and early 14 drawer victorian mahogany and satin wood collectors cabinet originally used to house the oxford universtiy museum of insect 'type specimens'.

A beautiful and historic cabinet made circa 1870. Fashioned in rich and highly figured honduras mahogany. Fourteen drawers surrounded by satinwood veneer mouldings and each carrying the original brass ring handle. The four lower drawers, as can be seen, are a larger format. All the door shuts bear the original burgundy velvet seal tapes. The original lock and key are present and fully functional.

Insect collectors will be familiar with the expression, 'type specimen'. These were the first examples taken of new species which were prized by museums and academic institutions and formed the basis of new naming and arrangement under curation.

The cabinet will make a wonderful foundation for many sorts of collection. Each drawer has a closely fitting glazed frame top and a hidden universal cell around the inside perimeter.

Dimensions.

Height. 23.5 inches.

Width. 38 inches.

Front to back. 19.75 inches.

Drawers.

10 top drawers.

Width. 15.25 inches.

Front to back. 15.25 inches.

Overall depth. 2 inches. (imperial pin depth).

Bottom 10 drawers.

Width. 16.25 inches.

Front to back. 15.25 inches.

Overall depth. 2 icnhes.

Altogether a very presentable and historic piece.

All questions welcome.

Physical Dimensions
Height
60cm (23.62")
Width
97cm (38.19")
Depth
50cm (19.69")
Declaration

Atropos Antiques has dated this Victorian Mahogany Specimen Cabinet to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA875042
Dealers Internal Reference
GM/HOPE.
Dealers Notes

georgemorgan90@gmail.com

Description
A superb and early 14 drawer victorian mahogany and satin wood collectors cabinet originally used to house the oxford universtiy museum of insect 'type specimens'.

A beautiful and historic cabinet made circa 1870. Fashioned in rich and highly figured honduras mahogany.

“
Fourteen drawers surrounded by satinwood veneer mouldings and each carrying the original brass ring handle.
Atropos Antiques

The four lower drawers, as can be seen, are a larger format. All the door shuts bear the original burgundy velvet seal tapes. The original lock and key are present and fully functional.

fig 1. A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles.
fig 1. A Superb 'Type' Specimen Collectors Cabinet in Mahogany and Satin Wood. Circa 1870.

Insect collectors will be familiar with the expression, 'type specimen'. These were the first examples taken of new species which were prized by museums and academic institutions and formed the basis of new naming and arrangement under curation.

fig 2. A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles.
fig 2. A Superb 'Type' Specimen Collectors Cabinet in Mahogany and Satin Wood. Circa 1870.

The cabinet will make a wonderful foundation for many sorts of collection. Each drawer has a closely fitting glazed frame top and a hidden universal cell around the inside perimeter.

Dimensions.

Height. 23.5 inches.

fig 3. A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles.
fig 3. A Superb 'Type' Specimen Collectors Cabinet in Mahogany and Satin Wood. Circa 1870.

Width. 38 inches.

Front to back. 19.75 inches.

Drawers.

10 top drawers.

Width. 15.25 inches.

Front to back. 15.25 inches.

Overall depth. 2 inches. (imperial pin depth).

Bottom 10 drawers.

Width. 16.25 inches.

Front to back. 15.25 inches.

Overall depth. 2 icnhes.

Altogether a very presentable and historic piece.

All questions welcome.

Height
60cm (23.62")
Width
97cm (38.19")
Depth
50cm (19.69")
Date of Manufacture

Atropos Antiques has dated this Victorian Mahogany Specimen Cabinet to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA875042
Dealers Internal Ref
GM/HOPE.
Atropos Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2011
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Atropos Antiques Profile Page

Relevant Links
PDF SHARE
SAVE
A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles.
1 / 18
Archive I A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles.

A Superb 'Type' Specimen Collectors Cabinet in Mahogany and Satin Wood. Circa 1870.

Archive II A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles. View II
Archive III A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles. View III
Archive IV A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles. View IV
Archive V A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles. View V
Archive VI A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles. View VI
Archive VII A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles. View VII
Archive VIII A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles. View VIII
Archive IX A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles. View IX
Archive X A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles. View X
Archive XI A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles. View XI
Archive XII A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles. View XII
Archive XIII A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles. View XIII
Archive XIV A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles. View XIV
Archive XV A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles. View XV
Archive XVI A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles. View XVI
Archive XVII A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles. View XVII
Archive XVIII A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles. View XVIII
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Atropos Antiques
Telephone 07973 302190
Location
The Old W.I. Hall
Springfield
Hartland
North Devon
EX39 6BG
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/atropos
Verified Since Nov 2011
Items For Sale 48
Items Sold 418
Atropos Antiques
Verified Since Nov 2011
View Dealer Info
Location: The Old W.I. Hall, Springfield, Hartland, North Devon, EX39 6BG, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/atropos
Verified
Nov 2011
For Sale
48
Sold
418
A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles.
A SUPERB 'TYPE' SPECIMEN COLLECTORS CABINET IN MAHOGANY AND SATIN WOOD. CIRCA 1870.
Ref: SA875042
A Victorian mahogany specimen cabinet featuring twin panelled doors that open to reveal fourteen small drawers with satinwood fronts and brass ring handles.
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FAQs

A specimen cabinet is a specialised storage unit featuring multiple shallow drawers, originally designed during the 18th and 19th centuries to house scientific collections such as insects, coins, botanical samples, or geological specimens.

Victorian specimen cabinets were typically constructed from fine hardwoods such as mahogany, rosewood, or walnut, frequently featuring interior drawers lined with cedar, satinwood crossbanding, and brass campaign-style fittings or small brass ring pulls.

Authentic 19th-century specimen cabinets display hand-cut dovetail joints, original brass drawer pulls or label holders, natural patination on the timber, and narrow drawer depths suited to delicate collectible items.

Place the cabinet on a desk, sideboard, or console table in a study or hallway to add visual character, using the small drawers to organise modern office stationery, jewellery, or small personal items.

Maintain the woodwork by dusting regularly with a soft cloth and applying a high-quality beeswax polish annually, keeping the cabinet away from direct sunlight and radiators to prevent timber shrinkage or fading.
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