Bank of Adelaide Bookcase

In 1866 the bank comissioned Adelaide cabinet makers Mayfield & Sons to create this magnificent huon pine breakfront bookcase, now on display in the Art Gallery of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide.
The bookcase in the Gallery of South Australia

The Bookcase

Constructed of Huon pine, with Baltic pine as secondary timber, and french polished in blonde shellac.

I was comissioned to carry out the restoration work on the Bank of Adelaide bookcase prior to its acquisition by Art Gallery of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide.

Maintaining the original patina was of the utmost importance, hence careful consideration given to conservation as much as to restoration.

The Furniture Manufacturers

Constructed of Huon pine, with Baltic pine as secondary timber, and french polished in blonde shellac.

I was comissioned to carry out the restoration work on the Bank of Adelaide bookcase prior to its acquisition by Art Gallery of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide.

Maintaining the original patina was of the utmost importance, hence careful consideration given to conservation as much as to restoration.

S. Mayfield & Son original label
The Bank of Adelaide building today, situated at Lipson Street, Port Adelaide

The Bank of Adelaide

The Bank of Adelaide was founded in 1865 and incorporated by an act of South Australian Parliament. The original directors of the company were Henry Ayers, Thomas Greaves Waterhouse, Robert Barr Smith, Thomas Magarey and George Peter Harris.

The bank had all its branches within South Australia, except one in George Street, Sydney, to service the wool trade.