Heritage Gloucester Cabinet

Gloucester cabinet by Robert Heritage for Archie Shine, c.1960.

The Gloucester cabinet by Robert Heritage typifies his refined and subtle approach towards case furniture. The outline and ‘façade’ is simple and restrained. The recessed drawer and door pulls and push latches to the doors ensure minimal imposition on the design.

A distinctive feature of the design is the radius to the front edge and the side panels aligned with the top surface (ordinarily cabinet construction demands the top to over-sail the sides). The overall aesthetic has subtle personality through the generous curve to the front top edge, the shaped legs and a cohesive feel to the entire unit.

The partnership between Heritage and Archie Shine began in the late 1950s and continued through the 1960s. The designs by Robert Heritage embraced traditional elements though were thoroughly modern in proportion and detail. Heritage favoured bold dimensions with long sleek outlines for his cabinets. This was in contrast to most other UK-based designers and manufacturers of the period.

Robert Heritage is a somewhat overlooked designer. He was awarded more COID (Council Of Industrial Design) design awards by the Design Council than any other British designer in the 20th Century. His worked extended from industrial products to lighting and even to furniture for the QE2. Heritage was acknowledged as Royal Designer for Industry, awarded a CBE and was a professor of furniture at the Royal College of Art.