Featured Any idea what this little cabinet would be used for?

Cabinet by Scared of cats posted May 21, 2018 at 7:39 PM

Hi, I bought this little cabinet as a “magazine rack” on FB marketplace, I think it might be JAcobean? I can’t find anything similar. The cabinet door rotates. It is 20”x 11” and 36” tall

 

Welcome, Scared! Certainly not "period" Jacobean and I suspect 20th century.

When you say the cabinet door rotates, does it slide inside the lower part after you open it?

 

Sorry, I just posted all of the pictures apparently twice! Yes, I meant to put Jacobean "style", not exactly sure what it is! The door actually rotates all the way around, you can probably tell now that I have posted all the pics, lol. Thanks!

 

Oh, I get it now! Does make sense as a magazine rack that way, doesn't it.

 

Hmmm, IF the top shelf had been slanted toward the front I would have "guessed" it was a music stand for a conductor/director of musicians and/or a choir, glee club, etc. with "storage" available for sheet music.

 

I know, I was wondering about that as well, but it is not. I just think the gap between the cabinet and the top is odd?

 

Welcome to the Forum, Scared of Cats!

 

Hello, SoC. Afraid you've fallen in with a bunch of soft in the head about cats folks here. Think definitely meant to hold magazines, newspapers in an orderly, out of sight way. Can see a lamp on top & a telephone, or maybe a radio, in that open space between. The entertainment center of times past.

 

Interesting piece. I do think Jacobean revival circa 1930 and likely English. If not a magazine rack, I don't know what else it would be.

 

Thank you!

Ha! I didn't even think about a telephone! Forgot about those : )

 

Store your phonebook also.
(Contact list)

 

That was part of what I could picture: how you used to sit the phone on top of the phone directories, white & yellow. My mother did not feel that either telephones or televisions belonged in the living room, and when my parents bought their one & only TV, she insisted on one in a lovely wooden cabinet with louvered folding doors that hid the screen when not in use.

 

Oh yes, the living room was intended for conversation!

 

Yes - magazine rack and then Hide your bottles of alcohol behind it, LOL!!
Nice piece!

 

It was intended for company, and you did not talk on the phone or watch TV when you had company; it would have been considered quite rude.

 

There seems to be a lot of wear on those flat surfaces.Music stand of some sort,maybe?

 

Nice wear on the barley twists too. I think I need it.

Welcome to the forum SoC. Sorry, I'm a cat lover.

 

Thanks for all the replies! Another question: suggestions on asking price when I resell on eBay or wherever? I can’t find anything comparable, so I’m unsure.

 

Gee, AJ, I have 4 old barley twist candlesticks that would go very nicely with it....Maybe I need it!!!!

OH, and WELCOME to the Forum too, SoC!!!!!!!

 

Thank you! I am definitely going to sell it. As my daughter says, I have a "table problem". Lol