New acquisition: 1928 Jewel Cabinet

An early Gordon Russell jewel cabinet has gone on display, having being recently acquired for the museum collection. Designed in 1922, the English walnut cabinet, with ebony and boxwood inlay to the doors, was made a few years later in 1928 by Gordon Russell cabinetmaker Bert Allaway. It required some restoration prior to display which was carried out by Martin Blakeman, former Master Craftsman for Gordon Russell Ltd and museum volunteer. Martin explains: ‘Bert Allaway was one of the finest cabinet makers at the Gordon Russell workshops; his name keeps cropping up on the best pieces. I worked with Bert in the 60s – he was a lovely man who shared his skills and advice quite openly. It was a great pleasure to be asked to repair his cabinet in 2017’.