Early 20th Century "Practical Glove Holder" Oak Cabinet by A. N. Russell

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Description

c. 1900s-1910s; A. N. Russell & Sons - Ilion, NY

Large oak cabinet fitted with three horizontal rows of narrow … Read more c. 1900s-1910s; A. N. Russell & Sons - Ilion, NY

Large oak cabinet fitted with three horizontal rows of narrow drawers, each engineered with a distinctive pull-out and flip-open side access mechanism. When fully removed, each drawer pivots open from the side, revealing internal dividers designed specifically for organizing gloves. A maker's mark printed on the original interior cards identifies this as "The Practical Glove Holder," patented October 7, 1897, by A. N. Russell & Sons of Ilion, New York.

This cabinet represents a highly specialized piece of early commercial furniture, intended for use in retail glove shops, haberdasheries, or dry goods stores where inventory needed to be protected, sorted by size or style, and quickly accessed by clerks. The unusual drawer design allowed gloves to be displayed, inspected, and retrieved without disturbing adjacent stock-an elegant mechanical solution rooted in late-19th-century retail efficiency.

Constructed entirely of oak with simple wooden knobs and tight joinery, the cabinet prioritizes durability and function over ornament. Its long, low profile and dense drawer layout reflect the practical demands of turn-of-the-century shop interiors, making it both a rare survivor of niche retail equipment and a visually compelling storage piece today.

Drawers: approx. 13.75" L x 2.5" W x 3.5" H each See less