This fantastic example of an Edwardian music cabinet c1900-1915 is useful today even if you are not a musician with a collection of sheet music. It’s a perfect place to store your vinyl collection, paperwork or art and craft supplies.
Originally this four-drawer cabinet was designed to keep sheet music flat and easy to reach. The drawer fronts swing down to reveal shallow trays, so music can be taken out without bending it over a high drawer front. The shaped opening at the front of each tray makes the contents easier to lift.
It is in good vintage condition with just a few areas of wear commensurate with its age. Please refer to photographs.
A little bit of additional history:
George Fleet & Co., Stoke-upon-Trent
The cabinet carries the label of George Fleet & Co., cabinet makers and upholsterers. The firm had its main showrooms at 5 High Street, Stoke, with a branch at number 22. A surviving 1907 advertisement records a business supplying furniture, bedding, carpets and fabrics. Fleet also acted as an agent for Liberty & Co. of London. The label connects this cabinet to Fleet, but we cannot confirm whether it was made in their workshops or bought in for sale, possibly from Henry Stone & Son.
Henry Stone & Son, Banbury
The metal drawer fittings that enable the drop down front are stamped 'Stone's Patent'. Henry Stone & Son began making box files in Banbury around 1870, later expanding into cabinet making and printing. The firm produced music cabinets, including a 'Mozart' model documented in 1903. These fittings link the cabinet to Stone’s drawer system but we cannot confirm that Stone made the whole piece, although it seems most likely.
The Fyne Ladye connection
As an interesting aside, Stone’s furniture business also used the name Fyne Ladye, sometimes recorded as Fyne Lady. Much later, in the late 1950s, designer Richard Hornby developed Scandinavian-influenced furniture for the firm. It was renamed Stone's of Banbury in 1970 and wound up in 1978. Fyne Ladye belongs to the same company’s history and is renowned for making popular teak mid-century furniture and from time to time we have items by Richard Hornby for Fyne Ladye in our stock.
Delivery arranged separately. Please enquire below.
