Antique Coal Purdonium

The Antique Coal Purdonium was essentially to store coal next to your fire. As coal is not the most pleasant thing to look at in your dining room, the Victorian cabinet maker came up with the ingenious idea of creating unique pieces of small decorative furniture to store the coal in and this was the Antique Coal Purdonium. These beautiful pieces of furniture were inlaid with floral designs, often with marble tops and small mirrors on the back to reflect more light into the room. They would have been made for wealthy individuals in stunning woods such as Mahogany, Walnut or even Rosewood. The best examples were made by cabinet makers such as Gillows of Lancaster and designed to resemble a miniature cupboard or chiffonier. These rare designs were specially commissioned making them quite unique. They will often have brass decoration and a fitted lead lined coal storage area, concealed behind a hinged door. Although they dont have the same usefulness as they once did (unless you still use a coal fire) quite often people use them for magazine, news paper storage or as a side table to hold a lamp. Have a look below at our lovely examples available for sale.

Styles of Antique Coal Purdonium

Below are a few examples of previously sold coal purdonium but if any particular style looks of interest please let us know as we do get many similar designs in stock and we can try to locate something similar.

This was a rare Antique Rosewood Victorian Coal Purdonium. This fine example is in the style and quality of a Gillows piece and has been designed to resemble a miniature chiffonier. This rare design was most probably a specially commissioned piece and manages, quite uniquely, to make an everyday item one of beauty! It has a brass turned gallery sitting on a small shelf above a wonderfully figured panelled back. Upright columns support the shelf and these have been given a guilt edge, typical of a Gillows piece. The ‘chiffonier’ top is also beautifully figured and sits over three faux drawers with delightfully turned handles. The whole front pulls forward to reveal a lead lined coal storage area. This wonderful piece stands on turned bun feet, the back and sides have also been beautifully finished with panels so it looks like the quality piece it truly is from any angle. The craftsmanship and design skills used in this antique purdonium are self evident, it really is a rare and unusual quality find.