Canterbury/Music cabinet/Cabinet
Maker & role
Unknown, Maker
Production date
circa 1820
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Object detail
Production place
Collection
Measurements
H: 52 x W: 51 x D: 33cm (H: 520 x W: 510 x D: 330mm)
Production notes
Regency period.
Credit line
Gift, through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2006
Caroline Simpson Collection, Vaucluse House Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caroline Simpson Collection, Vaucluse House Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caption
Canterbury, c1820
Description
Mahogany music canterbury (a compartmented stand for collections of sheet music generally of folio size). The rectangular base, which gives solidity to the piece, is fitted with a cock-beaded drawer with two brass knobs (possibly later replacements). Four baluster turned corner posts with turned finials support five plain timber longitudinal divisions, forming four compartments. The centre division incorporates a curved timber handle. The whole rests on four baluster turned legs and brass castors.
Devised in the late 18th century a ‘music canterbury’, is a stand typically compartmented to hold music books and folios upright. Sheraton advocating two or three partitions and distinguished between canterburies used for music books, and those used for storing plates and cutlery for supper (The Cabinet Dictionary, 1803. pl.28). He adds that the name canterbury had” of late years been applied to some cabinet work, because, as the story goes, the bishop of that see first gave orders for these pieces.” Pianos were significant features in Australian colonial interiors. The 1853 auction inventory for Vaucluse House lists a ‘brilliant-toned rosewood grand pianoforte by Collard & Collard’. The canterbury was a necessary accessory to hold music sheets and folios.
Devised in the late 18th century a ‘music canterbury’, is a stand typically compartmented to hold music books and folios upright. Sheraton advocating two or three partitions and distinguished between canterburies used for music books, and those used for storing plates and cutlery for supper (The Cabinet Dictionary, 1803. pl.28). He adds that the name canterbury had” of late years been applied to some cabinet work, because, as the story goes, the bishop of that see first gave orders for these pieces.” Pianos were significant features in Australian colonial interiors. The 1853 auction inventory for Vaucluse House lists a ‘brilliant-toned rosewood grand pianoforte by Collard & Collard’. The canterbury was a necessary accessory to hold music sheets and folios.
Accession number
V2007/14-1:2
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