
White’s Antiques

Specialists in antique and decorative furniture, based in Sussex.
Address
Unit 10 The Vinery, Arundel Road
Poling, West Sussex
United Kingdom
BN18 9PY
Opening times
Monday-Friday 10-4 Saturday by appointment
Mobile
+447717 321455
Antique Mahogany Bank of Drawers with Original Shell Pulls & Label Holders c.1910
REF: AG051 / LA571419
£980
€1,133
$1,314
Secure Payments By
LoveAntiques Dealersince Feb 2021Approved item893 sales by dealer
LoveAntiques Dealersince Feb 2021Approved item893 sales by dealer
Description
Mahogany bank of drawers, c.1910, with twelve drawers, original shell pulls and label holders - compact, characterful, practical and full of early 20th‑century charm.
Why We Love This … This is the kind of piece that quietly earns its place in a room - full of irresistible early‑20th‑century character and utilitarian charm. Compact, beautifully made, with twelve drawers, each with its original shell pull and label holder give it a quietly authoritative presence - the sort of cabinet that once kept a workplace running smoothly and now brings warmth and order to a modern interior.
The mellow mahogany patina softens the form beautifully, and the compact footprint makes it endlessly useful. It’s practical, characterful, and full of the quiet dignity that only well‑made working furniture carries.
At a Glance - Appeal, Desirability & Collectibility:
• Date: Circa 1910
• Origin: England
• Style: Early 20th Century utilitarian/bank, library, or office storage
Materials:
• Solid mahogany
• Original metal shell‑form pulls
• Original label holders
Condition:
• Good antique condition
• Warm, attractive aged patina to the mahogany
• Surface wear consistent with age and use
• All drawers run smoothly
• Structurally sound and ready for everyday use
Notable Details:
• Twelve individual drawers
• Original shell pulls with lovely aged character
• Original label holders - a rare survival
• Warm, mellow mahogany patina
• Excellent storage in a compact footprint
Decorative Appeal:
• A handsome, quietly authoritative and functional piece that brings warmth, texture, and a sense of history to any interior
Versatility:
• Perfect for a study, hallway, craft room, office, or shop display - anywhere that needs stylish, compact storage
Collectibility:
• Authentic early 20th‑century banks of drawers with original hardware are increasingly sought after for both decorative and practical use
Delivery is not included - please use the Delivery Quote tab prior to purchase
Heritage, History & Craftsmanship:
This mahogany bank of drawers dates to around 1910 a period when office and library furniture was built with real integrity for use in banks, libraries, and offices of the period. The twelve drawers, each with its original shell‑form pull and label holder add to its authenticity; small details that speak to a time when organisation and craftsmanship went hand in hand
The mahogany has developed a warm, mellow patina over more than a century, softening the form and giving the cabinet a depth, richness, and lived‑in character that modern storage simply can’t replicate.
Designed to be functional, compact yet generous in storage, and durable, it would have served in a bank, library, or small office - a hardworking piece designed to last and it remains just as useful today as it was over a century ago.
Social History:
In the early 20th century, drawers like these were essential in workplaces where everything from correspondence to ledgers needed to be kept meticulously organised. This made them indispensable in banks, offices, and libraries. The presence of the combination of label holders and small, manageable drawers reflects a culture of order and precision, while the shell pulls add a decorative flourish typical of the period.
Today, these pieces are prized for their authenticity and adaptability where they bring a sense of order, history, and craftsmanship to contemporary interiors.
Explore Every Facet:
These images form an essential part of the condition report and are intended to provide complete transparency and confidence in your purchase
• Drawer fronts and hardware
• Drawer interiors
• Shell pulls and label holders
• Mahogany patina and surface character
• Overall proportions
• Structural details
Terminology by Style:
Bank of Drawers: A multi‑drawer storage cabinet designed for organising documents, tools, or supplies used in banks, offices, and libraries.
Shell Pulls: Decorative metal handles shaped like stylised scallop shells, popular in late‑Victorian and Edwardian utilitarian office furniture.
Label Holders: Metal frames designed to hold paper labels for easy identification of drawer contents - a hallmark of utilitarian storage.
Mahogany Patina: The warm, mellow surface tone developed through age, handling, and oxidation.
Utilitarian Furniture: Functional well‑made pieces designed for everyday working environments, valued today for their simplicity and durability.
Sustainable Style & Styling Suggestions:
Thank you for considering this antique bank of drawers - a choice that is both culturally and environmentally responsible … in every sense, the most sustainable item is the one that endures.
• Use in a study or home office for stationery and documents
• Style in a hallway with a lamp and framed artwork above
• Perfect for craft rooms or creative studios
• Works beautifully in retail or gallery settings as display storage
Purchase with Confidence:
White’s Antiques carefully selects every item for authenticity, character, craftsmanship, and decorative presence - ensuring that each piece carries both aesthetic and historic value. Every item is described and photographed with care, offering complete transparency and confidence in your purchase.
We are an established and trusted resource for both trade and private collectors. You are warmly invited to visit our Showroom at The Vinery, Poling, West Sussex, to experience our curated collections firsthand, explore the stories behind each piece, and appreciate these timeless furnishings in person.
Delivery & Collection Information:
• Delivery is not included - please use the Delivery Quote tab prior to purchase
• Collection welcome from our Sussex showroom
• Local delivery available
• Nationwide couriers arranged on request
measurements
Height:
110 cm
Width:
72 cm
Depth:
43 cm
declaration
White’s Antiques has clarified that the Antique Mahogany Bank of Drawers with Original Shell Pulls & Label Holders c.1910 (LA571419) is genuinely of the period declared with the date/period of manufacture being circa 1910
additional info
Period:
Material:
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1910
location
This Antique Mahogany Bank of Drawers with Original Shell Pulls & Label Holders c.1910 is located in United Kingdom
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