1625: Pedestal collector's cabinet

A rectangular pedestal cabinet on a plinth base. With a projecting top and panelled sides and front door. Inside are eight drawers of graded sizes with turned knob handles. Of oak veneered with finely figured rosewood.

The 1874  Probate Inventory of 10 Cavendish Crescent taken following the death of Sir William Holburne lists this cabinet in the Front Drawing Room (AR153). It contained Holburne's collection of Wedgwood plaques (C371.42): 82 were kept in the top drawer and 33 in the second drawer; a pair of Wedgwood Buckles were listed in the third drawer.  The lower drawer of the cabinet contains Holburne's collection of impressions (known as clichés) of 27 of the National Medals issued by James Mudie in 1820 to commemorate the Napoleonic wars. Although their location was not specified in the 1874 inventory, it is likely that they were housed in this cabinet because of their specially made fittings. It is also probable that Holburne's collection coins and medals was kept in the other drawers.  A glazed giltwood display case originally sat on top of the cabinet. It was used to display smaller pieces in Holburne's collection such as ceramic scent bottles, nutmeg graters, snuff boxes and ivory carvings. 

Sir T. W. Holburne (1793-1874); by whom bequeathed to Mary-Anne Barbara Holburne (1802-1882); by whom bequeathed to the Museum.