The Hannah Cabinet visits Ballina
The Hannah Cabinet is currently on display at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery, Ballina.
The talented creator of this finely crafted piece is Lismore master craftsman Geoffrey Hannah.
Geoffrey Hannah has crafted increasingly complex pieces of fine furniture over his 50-year career, with The Hannah Cabinet being his latest and most ambitious creation.
His previous two major works grace the residence of the Governor-General in Canberra and a private collection in Antwerpen, Belgium.
Awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 1980, Geoffrey travelled to England and France to study furniture from the period 1635-1850.
Time spent in workshops of London’s Victoria and Albert Museum and the Palace of Versailles in France were particular highlights of this study tour, as were the special privileges and after-hours visits to the Louvre, Paris.
His most recent labour of love was created in 5000 hours over six-and-a-half years.
The Hannah Cabinet, named in honour of his family, is a truly remarkable creation of incredibly beautiful and detailed craftsmanship.
It contains 34 fine timbers and veneers, 17 types of stone, four types of shell and 23-carat gold leaf.
It contains 18 doors and 140 drawers.
The predominant timber used is Brazilian mahogany, with solid ebony columns and 23-carat gold gilding.
The work contains exquisite marquetry of birds and flora, with some of the images clearly viewable and others carefully hidden within the cabinet.
To observe a demonstration of the unveiling of the The Hannah Cabinet is an experience not to miss.
Geoffrey draws you through a process of discovery, uncovering successive layers of cabinets within cabinets and drawers within hidden drawers.
A labyrinth of hidden drawers and delicate inlays of timbers and precious stones await discovery inside this magnificent cabinet.
Geoffrey Hannah will showcase The Hannah Cabinet at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery (Cherry Street, Ballina) on the following dates:
11am Friday 20 November
2pm 22 November.
For further information contact the Northern Rivers Community Gallery on 6681 6167.
