Painted cabinets

These cabinets were designed by Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo for the Century Guild, with painted decoration by Selwyn Image. The cabinets were formerly joined by a central structure, now missing. They were probably exhibited in the Century Guild's 'Music Room' at exhibitions in London (1884), Liverpool (1886) and Manchester (1887). The inscriptions are from a poem by Richard Lovelace "To a Lady that desired me I would beare my part with her in Song". The inscription continues across both cabinets, and reads "My soul so full of harmonie that it with all parts can agree and preceeds"..."My minde can in faire order chime whilst my true heart beats the time".