Display Cabinets

Antique display cabinets were introduced to protect delicate and valuable objects from accidental damage, dirt, dust and of course to show off objects d’art.
Known also as a cabinet of curosities, they can also portray one’s wealth and taste. One of the earliest records of antique display cabinets was recorded in a 16th century engraving, Farrante Imperato’s Dell’ Historia Naturale, Naples 1599. Many antique display cabinets were used to house natural history specimens, these traditional antique display cabinets full of pigeon hole compartments, housed in 2 door cabinets similar to an 18th century armoire.
William Slemmonds (1909-1993) worked at The Natural History Museum, London in the 1940’s and was making various types of display cabinets and display stands. One of the largest stands was positioned just beyond the main entrance, upon this massive mahogany plinth a family of African elephants stood.