What is a music cabinet?

A music cabinet is a specialised piece of furniture designed specifically to hold sheet music and scores. They often feature multiple shallow drawers or internal filing slots to keep fragile paper organised. These pieces were standard in Victorian and Edwardian drawing rooms where home music-making was popular. Today, they serve equally well for storing modern sheet music or organising paperwork.

How do I spot a canterbury?

A canterbury is characterised by upright vertical divisions forming open compartments. These sections are intended for standing sheet music, folios, or magazines upright. Many examples also incorporate a low drawer beneath the main compartments for smaller items. They sit on short legs or castors for easy movement around a room.

Burr walnut is a specialised wood veneer derived from the knotty burls of walnut trees. It yields complex, swirling patterns that decorators valued for its ornamental appearance. Cabinets utilising this wood often feature symmetrical veneer patterns on their primary doors. This material signals a more decorative approach to cabinet making.

Can these cabinets hold books?

Many music cabinets feature internal shelving or filing spaces suitable for slim volumes and folios. However, the shallow depth of standard music drawers may limit storage for larger books. Glass-fronted Edwardian and Victorian variants offer visible display space similar to small bookcases. Assessing the internal height and depth of each compartment ensures proper fit for specific items.