Cabinet with fret-work brackets

This cabinet or ‘secretaire’, is made in mahogany with intricate fretwork brackets, it was designed by Mackmurdo and most likely made Collinson & Lock in around 1882. It is probably the cabinet shown by Mackmurdo at the debut Century Guild exhibition, the Enfield Local Art Exhibition in 1884. Here it was shown alongside two chairs and a looking glass that all featured sinuous botanical motifs.

Mackmurdo described himself as "an artist with a scientific training" and often took inspiration from marine biology and intricate botanical forms. The fretwork brackets of this cabinets are a clear example of this influence and have been painted in green and gold to further emphasize their plant-like nature. The bracket’s tendrils rise to show flower-like heads floating beneath the wave-like surface of the shelf.