What is a tambour door?

A tambour door consists of thin slats of wood attached to canvas, allowing it to bend around corners. This clever mechanism slides into the cabinet body to save space where swinging doors would not fit.

How do I maintain the sliding shutter?

Keep the wooden tracks clean and free from dust so the canvas-backed slats travel freely. Apply a tiny amount of appropriate wax if the movement becomes stiff over time.

Where were these cabinets used?

Office filing cabinets served busy Edwardian and early twentieth-century administrative workplaces. Domestic versions like bedside commodes and nightstands functioned as discreet bedroom storage.

How do I spot an eighteenth-century piece?

Look for hand-cut dovetails, rich mahogany timbers and understated brass hardware typical of the Georgian era. These older examples usually function as bedside tables, desks or commodes rather than office filing units.