A wonderfully understated piece of British institutional furniture, manufactured by Enham and dated 1974, with a particularly appealing combination of clean Modernist design and practical construction.
Originally produced for an educational or institutional setting, the cabinet comprises eight unusually shallow drawers within a compact rectangular carcass. The drawer fronts feature beautifully simple recessed pulls, eliminating the need for applied handles and giving the piece its distinctive, almost architectural appearance.
The timber appears to be predominantly Sapele, a mahogany-family hardwood widely used in British furniture and joinery during the period. It has a rich warm tone with attractive ribboned and figured grain, particularly noticeable across the drawer fronts and top. Contrasting lighter secondary timbers have been used internally.
One of the most interesting features is the cabinet's original central locking system. The upper drawer is fitted with a lock and must first be unlocked and opened before the remaining seven drawers are released — a clever piece of institutional design intended to secure the entire contents of the cabinet with a single lock.
The shallow 5cm-deep drawers suggest the cabinet was originally intended for the organised storage of papers, drawings, artwork or other teaching materials. Its proportions are reminiscent of a small plan chest, but at only 51cm wide it is considerably more compact and versatile than a conventional architect's chest.
The back retains its original stencilled ENHAM 1974 marking, providing unusually good provenance and an exact date. Enham operated furniture and woodworking workshops and supplied furniture for institutional and government use during the 20th century, including school furniture.
There are some particularly pleasing construction details, including the exposed joinery to the plinth and the straightforward, functional treatment of the drawer fronts. Although designed as practical institutional furniture, its simplicity gives it a distinctly British Modernist character.
Today it would work beautifully as an unusual bedside cabinet, side table or compact storage chest, with the numerous shallow drawers particularly useful for jewellery, stationery, artwork, documents or collections.
In excellent restored condition, the cabinet retains the knocks, marks, variations in colour and general wear associated with its previous institutional life, all of which contribute to its character rather than detract from it.
Dimensions:
Overall Width: 51cm
Overall Depth: 44cm
Overall Height: 75cm
Drawers (internal):
Width: 44cm
Depth: 43cm
Height: 5cm
Furniture Delivery Service
- Specialist courier: items are fully insured & handled with care by our tried and trusted couriers.
- Delivery charge varies by location, size and weight - automatically applied at checkout.
- Timescales: Usually within 10 working days. Scotland & farther afield may take longer.
- View the main Delivery Page for more information on our furniture delivery service.
- If you have a specific request or need an item urgently, please email us prior to purchase.
Our restoration process
Preparation
We carefully assess every piece, identifying any damage, repairs or replacement parts it may need. Drawers may need new runners, handles can be missing or damaged, and joints may require repair or reinforcement. We look beyond the surface to uncover hidden defects, ensuring each piece is restored to work as it was originally intended.
Restoration
With over 20 years of experience, we know that the right restoration techniques can make all the difference. It’s a delicate process that takes patience, skill and attention to detail — one we’ve taken the time to perfect. Each piece is carefully and sensitively restored, preserving its original character and charm while giving it a new lease of life.
Finishing
Finally, we add the finishing touches — whether that’s painting, oiling or sealing, fitting new handles, hinges or catches, or simply giving the piece a final clean and polish. We make sure every piece is ready for modern living, giving it a new lease of life and a renewed sense of purpose, ready to be loved for generations to come.
Before and after
Each piece is carefully and sympathetically restored to preserve the character, charm and beautiful details that make it unique. The result is a truly individual piece of furniture, thoughtfully restored for
modern living and ready to bring warmth, personality and timeless style to your home for years to come.
