Antique English Art Deco Epstein Burr Walnut Sideboard / Cocktail & Drinks Cabinet (Circa 1930)

Summary:

• Item: Art Deco Walnut Sideboard
• Circa: 1930
• Provenance: Manchester, England UK
• Attributed to Harry & Lou Epstein Ltd.
• Wood: Burr walnut
• Width = 178cm / 70” / 5ft 8”
• Mirror matched burr walnut timbers
• “Skyscraper” shape
• Scallop shaped doors
• Mirrored glass interior
• Internal lighting newly re-wired & tested
• Single glass removable shelf
• Wooden cut-out drinks bottle holder
• Six original cocktail sticks included (left door)
• Original metal juicer & tray (right door)
• Jade coloured & brass metal knobs
• Internal bank of drawers
• Scroll shaped horizontal columns
• Curved “U” shape panelled pedestal
• Block shape moulded plinth
• Original backboards
• Stunning colour & quality
• Excellent original condition
• Ideal in the hallway, dining or living room
• Free delivery to England, Wales & southern Scotland*
• Free 14-day UK returns policy

Description:

This is a fine quality English Art Deco walnut sideboard, sitting on a “u” shaped base, circa 1930, attributed to Harry & Lou Epstein Ltd., in excellent condition.  The whole piece is decorated with its original stunning quality book-marked burr walnut timbers in the form of a “skyscraper” design, with a taller central section and two lower side sections.  This Art Deco drinks cabinet is decorated with two decorative scallop shaped central doors, which open to reveal a mirrored glass back wall, a removable glass shelf and wooden cut-out bottle holders on the floor below.  The left-hand door retains its original multi-coloured cocktail sticks and the right-hand door retains its original metal juicer bowl.  The original internal light fitting has been re-wired, tested and a new UK plug fitted, to ensure the electrics are in good working condition.

The central section is flanked by two doors.  On the right-hand side are a bank of three internal drawers and on the left-hand side is an open cupboard, with a removable shelf.  The mahogany-lined drawers have been constructed with dovetail joints and the drawer interiors have been cleaned.  The door fronts are decorated with jade colour & brass metal knobs.  The doors retain their original metal sliding door bolts and the original brass lever lock (with key).

The Art Deco walnut sideboard is raised on a striking upward “u” shaped curved panelled pedestal base, flanked by horizontal scroll shaped columns.  The pedestals are united by a rectangular shaped block moulded plinth; also decorated with horizontal scroll shaped columns.  This Art Deco cocktail cabinet boasts classic Art Deco styling; this is evident in the curved corners and clean lines.  The table is solid in joint and ready to use.

The Art Deco walnut sideboard boasts a golden burr walnut colour; this can only be achieved through age and the years of care and cleaning it has received.  The Art Deco cabinet is an excellent investment and would look superb in a variety of rooms, especially the dining room, living room or hallway. It would certainly grace any home. So, don’t miss out on your chance to own a lovely piece of furniture.

Provenance – H & L Epstein Ltd.:

Originally founded in the 1890s by Morris Epstein, the Epstein Company would become one of the most recognisable and high-quality producers of Art Deco furniture from the 1930s to the 1950s.  The Epstein family were amongst a number of Jewish immigrants from the Baltic States and the Balkans, who then established a cabinet-making community in London’s East End, particularly in the Shoreditch area.  Initially, they traded out of furniture outlets in the area, such as Weinbau, Caplan & Percy Young.  All of Morris’ six sons carried on in the furniture-making profession, and in 1929, two of his sons – Harry and Lou – established H & L Epstein Furniture Designers and Manufacturers and by the 1930s the company totalled 15 men, with Harry as designer and Lou as cabinetmaker.  Harry and Lou, as well as their brothers David, Michael and Sidney, would go on to establish their own shops and showrooms in London, Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin.

Epstein’s furniture was influenced by customers whose tastes echoed the avant-garde styles such as those seen at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts which occurred in Paris in 1925.  In particular, they were well-known for cloud-shape designs, featured on lounge and dining suites, and boat-based designs featured on tables and cabinets.  They also took a significant amount of commissions, producing furniture to customer specifications, using materials such as burr maple, sycamore and walnut veneer, all of which was hand made using traditional cabinetmaking skills.

Earlier furniture, before 1940, while not stamped, can still be recognised due to its style, materials used, and quality of construction.  From the 1950s, Epstein furniture started being constructed with ivorine labels, either stamped ‘H & L Epstein Ltd’ or ‘Epstein & Goldman’.  Epstein furniture was widely considered as being of very high quality, and consequently their pieces are very sought-after today.

Sources: https://artdecosociety.uk/2020/04/29/cloud-suites-and-cocktail-bars/  and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Deco

Condition Report:

This is a fine quality English Art Deco walnut sideboard, sitting on a “u” shaped base, circa 1930, attributed to Harry & Lou Epstein Ltd., in excellent condition.  The original internal light fitting has been re-wired, tested and a new UK plug fitted, to ensure it is in excellent working condition.  The walnut exterior has been cleaned and French polished by hand in our workshop, therefore the colour and patination are of an excellent finish.  The burr walnut timbers are original and in excellent overall condition.   Nominal old use marks to the leading edges but nothing significant considering the age of the item.  The drawer interiors have also been cleaned.  The drawers are in good working order and are constructed with mahogany linings and dovetail construction.  The door fronts are decorated with later jade colour & brass metal knobs.  The doors retain their original metal sliding door bolts and the original brass lever lock (with key). The drawers are fitted with the original brass handles. This Art Deco walnut sideboard is solid in joint and ready to be used.

Dimensions:

Height (Centre) = 108cm / 42½” / 3ft 6½”
Height (Sides) = 93.5cm / 36⅞” / 3ft 0⅞”
Width = 178cm / 70” / 5ft 8”
Depth (including knobs) = 61.5cm / 24¼” / 2ft 0¼”
Depth (excluding knobs) = 59cm / 23¼” / 1ft 11¼”

Terms & Conditions:

Before you purchase this item, please ensure you have read and are in agreement with our Terms & Conditions of Sale. If you have any questions regarding our Terms & Conditions of Sale, please contact us to discuss them, before purchasing this item.

Ref. 82112