Object of the week- Gothic Revival credenza

Newly arrived at Lotherton Hall, this beautiful hardwood credenza was expertly crafted by an esteemed Leeds cabinet maker more than 150 years ago.

The superbly made cabinet was recently bequeathed to the estate by Selwyn Barker, a furniture collector who lived near Preston, and was made by Marsh and Jones of Leeds in around 1865.

It is made from sycamore and satinwood and decorated with intricate inlays that use of hardwoods including amboyna, purpleheart, holly and maple.

Created by Charles Bevan in the reformed gothic style, the cabinet closely matches a number of other pieces of furniture already in the collection at Lotherton, which were originally supplied to Titus Salt Jnr, the then owner of Salt’s Mill and son of Sir Titus Salt, founder of the mill and village of Saltaire.

Other furniture in the collection includes the Grand Piano and Duet Ottoman, now in the Drawing Room, along with the best Bedroom Suite, which is now in Lady Gascoigne’s Bedroom.

At this stage there is no evidence the cabinet ever belonged to Salt, but experts have said its close relationship to other pieces in the collection opens up some intriguing questions about its origin.

Councillor Brian Selby, Leeds City Council’s lead member for museums and galleries, said: “It’s always exciting when we get a new acquisition at one of ours sites and this beautiful cabinet is no exception.

“The fact that is fits in so well with the other pieces in the beautiful collection at Lotherton is fantastic, even more so because it was made by a craftsmen who originally set up right here in Leeds.”

For more information about Lotherton Hall, visit: www.leeds.gov.uk/lothertonhall

ENDS