Union National Lacquered Chinoiserie Breakfront China Display Secretary Cabinet

Description

The Union National breakfront was rated as the finest breakfront in the world. In 1980, after flying in the magazines Lear jet to inspect the factory and the breakfront, the publisher of Leaders magazine rated it as the finest available anywhere in the world. If you've never heard of Leaders magazine, don't be surprised because if you aren't one of the worlds leaders, you can't even buy a copy. Built of solid maple and finished in hand rubbed black lacquer with 32 panes of hand beveled glass. The interior is painted in red to contrast with the exterior and show off whatever is showcased within. The whole piece is hand striped in gold with snowflakes, fretwork and scrolls on each panel. To top it off Chinoiserie landscape designs were then hand painted on each door with birds, butterflys, flowers, figures / geishas and pagodas. Includes a central butlers secretary drawer with tooled leather top, pigeon holes and drawers. The butler's desk was designed for those in service of fine houses to keep documents and records. The cabinet is hand Signed along the lower right door by the artist Carole Westcott. Union National made fewer than 20 of these breakfronts per year while they were in business and even if 2 were ordered with the same description, each would be unique because the artwork was always original

The Union National Furniture Co. of Jamestown, N.Y., was formed in 1939 from the National Furniture Co., which had been in business since 1891. All of the furniture produced was of high quality hardwoods and featured hand painted details by skilled artists who catered to the likes of celebrities including Wayne Newton, Lucille Ball, Jerry Lewis and William Holden. Both companies were owned and operated by the Nord family. Union National closed in 1994, still operated by the Nords but owned by Wall Street financier Webb Turner.

Condition

Good Vintage Condition; Light distressing from use

Dimensions

90" x 82" x 18", 29.5" surface