I can visualize in detail what you will display in this fabulous Asian style cabinet. Maybe your grandmother’s wedding china, or your own, if you chose one. Maybe a collection of rare antique books, or just your guilty pleasure romance novels. Maybe your crystal barware or mid-century modern art glass. Whatever it is you want to display this gorgeous cabinet will show them off beautifully. Particularly with its mirrored back and display lighting. It is comprised of a simple rectangular cabinet with little embellishment apart from brass hinges and handles and its Asian style footed base. It has a lovely off-white rather marbleized lacquer finish. The top portion offers a beveled glass view of whatever is displayed inside. Each side has one panel of glass and the front three with the two outer panels being doors and the center stationary. The back is mirrored. The bottom portion has closed storage for those items you don’t want to display comprised of a set of double opening doors behind which are drawers and a single door with shelf storage behind. This piece is both beautiful and practical and was made by White Fine Furniture of Mebane, North Carolina circa 1970s.
White Fine Furniture was founded in 1881 in Mebane, North Carolina by brothers, David A. and William E. White. Their father, Stephen A. White, was the co-founder of Mebane. Unfortunately, he had soiled the family name by acquiring a great amount of debt and his sons vowed to repay their father’s creditors. Thus, was the catalyst behind their venture. It was incorporated as White-Rickel Furniture Company in 1896 but by 1899 Rickel had relinquished his interest and the name was changed to White Furniture Company. They repaid their father’s debts and more. They were always a cutting-edge company and were the first Southern furniture manufacturer to utilize electricity. In 1905 they were awarded a contract with the US government to supply furniture to military personnel working in the Panama Canal. Later supplying furniture for army officers throughout the US and the Far East. They’ve won awards and furnished the famed Grove Park Inn. My research did not uncover when exactly they began calling themselves White FINE Furniture but fine it was. Unfortunately, as with many US furniture and other manufacturers, the 1980s hit hard. They were purchased by Hickory Furniture Company and eventually closed the doors in 1993 after over 100 years of fine furniture building.
We have fallen in love with this cabinet and its history here at our shop. We know you will love it too. Make it yours.
