Object Description
A Petite Chinoiserie Lacquered Display Case
Attributed to Hille & Co
A superb example of the lacquered furniture designed and made by Salamon Hille in the early twentieth century, of unusual small proportions, its surface decorated in a black & gold chinoiserie style, the cabinet sitting on a stand having slender legs joined by a pierced and shaped apron decorated with oriental motifs including a crab at its centre, the display cabinet itself having three glass sides, with lockable side doors allowing access to the shelved interior, surmounted by a pagoda-style roof with upturned corners decorated with landscape motifs in the Chinese style.
English, circa 1920
This piece beautifully exemplifies the fusion of Eastern and Western design elements popular in the early 20th century. A suite of furniture attributed to Hille and owned by Freddie Mercury included a piano bench and centre table related to the present cabinet.
S. Hille & Co
Hille & Co. Ltd, a London-based furniture maker, operated from 1906 to about 1984. Founded by Ukrainian immigrant Salamon Hille, the company grew from a small workshop to a significant manufacturer, known for high-quality “period modern” and later modernist designs. Under Salamon’s daughter Ray’s leadership post-1932, and with contributions from designer Robin Day from 1949, Hille evolved from traditional craftsmanship to innovative use of materials like bent plywood and polypropylene.