Thirties modernist sideboard in Hungarian ash and walnut

Oak handles and brass hand made hinges

‘Heythrop Sideboard’

Designed by W. H. Russell for Gordon Russell

Circa 1935

Currently on view at Liberty London

The ‘Heythrop’ sideboard was part of a window display at the Gordon Russell Ltd showroom, 40 Wigmore Street, London in 1935

There is a similar example at the Geffrye Museum of the Home

W.H. (Curly) Russell was not a family member. He trained as a cabinet maker at Shoreditch College, London under the tutorship of Percy Wells and joined the Russell workshops in 1924. In 1926 he moved from cabinet making into the drawing office as assistant to Gordon Russell and in 1934 he became the chief designer until his retirement in 1968.

It’s hard to illustrate the level of quality in this piece of furniture and the strength of design. The feet remind me of iron girders grounding the piece firmly to the floor. The six panel book matched veneered doors are exquisite and so flush fitting you can feel the air being pushed out when closing them. When it was designed the solid walnut carcase would of been dark and contrasting against the white ash veneered doors making a striking statement, Its well balanced proportions are modern for its day proceeding the Danish sideboards by 20 years.

SOLD