Antique French Industrial Pine Workshop Cabinet / Storage Bench, c. 1880–1900

An unusual antique French workshop cabinet dating from the late 19th century, circa 1880–1900.

Made from solid pine, the cabinet features three large hinged doors fitted with old metal hinges and handles. Behind the doors is a series of narrow individual compartments, originally designed for the organised storage of tools, materials or other workshop supplies.

The cabinet was originally used in an upright vertical position, with the compartments arranged one above the other. Its construction, however, allows the piece to be used in three different ways.

It can still be placed vertically as originally intended, creating a distinctive tall storage cabinet. Alternatively, it can be positioned horizontally in two different orientations, with the hinged doors opening either upwards or downwards.

When used horizontally, its exceptional length of 255 cm combined with its shallow depth makes it particularly suitable as a low TV console, shoe cabinet, hallway storage unit or storage bench. This versatility gives the original industrial piece a practical new function in a contemporary interior.

The pine has developed a warm natural patina and shows marks, scratches, colour variations and other signs of age and former use. The old metal hardware and straightforward construction retain the authentic utilitarian character of the piece.

Origin: France
Period: circa 1880–1900
Material: Solid pine
Original use: Workshop storage cabinet

Dimensions

Width: 255 cm
Depth: 34 cm
Height: 57 cm

Internal compartments:
Width:  15 cm
Depth:  29 cm
Height:  45 cm