Furniture: Robert Heritage Sideboard

'Hamilton' Sideboard supplied by Heal's c.1960

When it comes to furniture this is my prize possession, not only is it by an English designer in Robert Heritage and manufactured by Archie Shine Ltd. UK, it is also supplied by Heal's. This is not all, it is documented in the 2000 TASCHEN GmbH book, Decorative Art 60's, pp 208 which gives the piece a certain significance.

The sideboard itself is recognisable as Heritage due to his signature 'reeding' on the drawer fronts, it is formed in three separate sections, that I can testify to being thankful for, having moved this piece around various residences. The three sections sit on top of a very long 274cm wide base with lovely tapering legs. The sideboard was part of a dining suite, designed in 1956 that also consisted of eight chairs and a draw leaf dining table.

Robert Heritage was born in Birmingham and studied at the RCA from 1948 to 1952. In 1953 he immediately set up his own studio designing furniture and lighting winning numerous awards, including a Design Centre Award in 1958 for this 'Hamilton' sideboard. Possibly his most prestigous commission was to carry out the furniture design project for the Queen Elizabeth II ocean liner in 1968 together with Ernest Race. Robert Heritage is the most awarded designer by the Design Council.