Antique Australian cedar display cabinet

Australian cedar, also known as red cedar or Toona ciliata, is a species of tree that is native to eastern Australia. It is known for its high-quality timber, which has a distinctive red color, fine grain, and a pleasant aroma. In the 19th century, Australian cedar was widely used in the manufacture of furniture, particularly in Australia and the United Kingdom.

The timber was considered to be a highly desirable material for furniture making due to its strength, durability, and natural resistance to rot and insects. It was also relatively easy to work with and could be finished to more... a high standard and was used to make a wide range of furniture items, including tables, chairs, wardrobes, and chests of drawers.

Australian cedar furniture was particularly popular in the Victorian era and was considered to be of very high quality. However, over-harvesting of the tree led to a decline in the availability of the timber and as a result, the use of Australian cedar in furniture making decreased in the 20th century. Today, Australian cedar furniture is considered to be quite rare and valuable by collectors. less...

The late 17th century passion for collecting Chinese porcelain and the later European porcelain, (a passion that has not abated), led to the design of various forms of cabinets for displaying the collection. There are various forms, and collectors can find pieces in the Sheraton, Queen Anne and Rococo revival manner dating from the Edwardian and later Victorian periods. Glazed china cabinets or bookcases were frequently made in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco style. The half-round lead lighted china cabinets popular in the 1920s and 1930s, are not all as common as they used to be. Collectors should more... be careful of 'china cabinets' that have made up by a conversion from a bookcase, armoire or wardrobe. less...