Herman Miller Heritage Cabinet

Robert Heritage cabinet for Archie Shine c. 1960

This cabinet design by Robert Heritage typifies his refined and subtle approach towards case furniture. The outline and ‘façade’ is simple and restrained. Using solid and veneered rosewood the cabinet is made to extremely high standards by British cabinet maker Archie Shine. The inset stainless steel drawer pulls reference historical furniture detailing and marry classical elements to the modernist design.

The partnership between Heritage and Archie Shine began in the late 1950s and continued through the 1960s. The designs by Robert Heritage embraced traditional elements though were thoroughly modern in proportion and detail. Heritage favoured bold dimensions with long sleek outlines for his cabinets. This was in contrast to most other UK-based designers and manufacturers of the period.

Robert Heritage is a somewhat overlooked designer. He was awarded more COID (Council Of Industrial Design) design awards by the Design Council than any other British designer in the 20th Century. His worked extended from industrial products to lighting and included furniture for the QE2. Heritage was acknowledged as Royal Designer for Industry, awarded a CBE and was a professor of furniture at the Royal College of Art.