Mid Century Nudes Cocktail Cabinet

This is such a lovely piece! It has its original glass with wonderful cocktail glasses artwork; all the original accessories (lemon squeezer has never even been used!) a sliding tambour door, and a working light! I’m restricted to only 10 photos on here, so please do ask if you’d like to see more. Photos include my initial sketch, a couple of process photos, and the interior light working.

This piece wasn’t in the best of functioning conditions when I got it - needed work to the door as it wouldn’t open all the way, and the top piece arm hinge needed attention to enable a smooth closure. Both now fixed and working beautifully 🙂.

The artwork, which I’ve called, ‘Let’s Kiss and Make Up’ (and have a cocktail 😉), is my own hand painted design. I’ve kept it tonal against the veneer and created a composition that I felt really suited the overall design of the piece - I especially love the shape in the negative space (without paint) between the torsos.

The original glass on the pull out section was no longer there, so I replaced it by replicating the design on plexiglass by using a reverse glass gilding / painting technique. This required applying layers of silver leaf (process as seen within photos) and gold gilding paint to the reverse side. I then suitably aged it and made it look used, to tie in with the rest of the piece.

Original light: this still works! The photo shows the lovely glow it gives out with the main room light off.

The veneer: this was uneven in places just due to age and use (which the artwork has helped cover!)

The inside back-piece has a beautiful soft metallic textured wallpaper applied, in a very pale pink colour that goes so well with the wood.

I can visualise this piece looking fabulous against many different decor styles and furnishings - a really versatile statement piece. And who says art is just for your walls, eh? 🙂

*IMPORTANT NOTE*: the original light works, but HAS NOT been checked by an electrician. So it will at the buyer’s own risk and responsibility, should they choose to use the light as is.

MEASUREMENTS:

H - 108 cm (42.5 inches)

W - 61 cm (24 inches)

D - 30 cm (12 inches)

PROCESS HIGHLIGHTS:

🔶 Whole piece cleaned inside and out - old finish removed

🔶 Sliding door slats re-secured and runners waxed

🔶 Top pull out section arm hinge fixed for smooth opening and closing

🔶 New piece made for the flap out part, sealed, then secured

🔶 Whole inside top section (wood) oiled, waxed and buffed

🔶 Artwork hand painted onto the front, then sealed

🔶 Inside back-piece re-secured and covered in a soft m metallic, textured wallpaper

🔶 Whole inside oiled, waxed and buffed

🔶 Legs - old finish removed - finely sanded - oiled, waxed and buffed

🔶 Original top piece knob - old finish removed, wood finely sanded, waxed and buffed. Gold gilding wax applied to metal part

🔶 Whole outside (veneer) oiled, waxed and buffed

*Care note*: I always advice using something protective under items placed upon surfaces of any furniture piece. The additional plexiglass section I added, will only need a very soft cloth with a spritz of water as and when it needs to be cleaned. Although hard wearing, it is a plastic, so won’t be as scratch resistant as the real original glass in the rest of that top section.

*Please also be aware that vintage/antique items I sell may have age related marks / nicks / patina, especially depending on the age and original purpose of the item. I see the beauty and history in these, so will either leave them in, or work with them to add to the overall aesthetic of particular pieces*