I didn’t know that I needed an antique dental cabinet, until i saw it. NEED. Two weeks ago I came across this Aseptic Dental Cabinet in an local antique store. I knew it was special, but the price was far and above what I have paid for any of my vintage finds. So, I reluctantly left the store and tried to forget about. Of course, I went home and did some googling, hoping to find that these cabinets are a dime a dozen and not worth anything near the price of this one. Wrong. They are quite sought after and rarer here in Australia, than in the States.
It is hard to believe that such a gorgeous and well constructed piece of furniture housed the implements of torture of early 20th century dentists. This particular cabinet has a plaque that states “Aseptic Dental Company, Lee S. Smith & Son Co., Pittsburgh USA”. In its original state it also would have had a plaque at the bottom that read “The Bown Steel Dental Cabinets/Patented April 13, 1909”. Apparently, they are the ‘holy grail’ of dental cabinets and it is easy to see why. After two weeks of contemplation, I decided that I wanted it regardless of the cost. I went back to the store this week to see if it was still there. I was trying not to get my hopes up, as such unique pieces don’t last long on shop floors. But there it was, in all its glory when I walked back in. I spoke to the owner who assured me that I wouldn’t find anything else quite like it. She was quite emotional saying goodbye to the cabinet as her husband, who passed earlier this year, had received it in pieces and lovingly restored it over the course of a month. It has three keys that lock each of the different sections securely and a beautiful marble lip underneath the double glass doors. A mirrored and glassed section at the top of the cabinet can also be locked securely. There are 14 drawers that open and close with such smoothness and ease. Finally, a large door at the base is perfect for storing larger items.It must have been difficult for her to let it go, but I reassured her that I would love it and cherish it. It is my favourite piece of furniture bar none. There is nothing in RedAgape Guesthouse that even comes close to this cabinet. It is special. Very special and I love it.
This purchase has really clarified what I want to focus on collecting in the future. I don’t want your typical antiques or fashionable vintage finds. I want unique and special. This cabinet is the perfect start for me to begin serious collecting for RedAgape.
Beautiful and very special. I’m jealous (and I don’t mind admiting it!)
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Thank you. I love it so much, I can’t believe it took me two weeks to make the decision to buy it. ☺
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So cool! I can see why you decided that you had to have it! What are you going to use it for?
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Hi Steph, I’m really not sure yet. The options are endless aren’t they? So much lovely storage. I was just looking at Victoria Elizabeth Barnes on Pinterest and bathroom storage seems a popular option for medical cabinets. I’ll let you know what I decide. 🙂
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That is beautiful! Lucky you!
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I do feel very lucky! I keep wandering into the room it’s stored in to admire it and tell it I love it. 😉
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I. Am. Having. A. Fit.
I will trade you EVERYTHING I own, for that.
I cannot even be happy for you, THAT is how jealous I am.
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I forgot to tell you that I have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to vintage medical cabinets… THAT is how much I love them!! You are now the star.
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Oh Victoria! I don’t know why I’ve spent hours on Pinterest when I could have just followed you as you have everything I need on your board.
I’ve had so many positive comments about this cabinet that I’m now 100% sure that I did the right thing in buying it. I actually feel a little stupid now for waiting so long. 🙂 It really is special.
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It is AMAZING!!!
If you can’t stop thinking about something like this for days or weeks, it’s meant to be yours. It’s such a beautiful piece. I can’t wait to see what you do with it. xox Tanya
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Thanks Tanya! I am totally in love with it. And believe me, finding something like this where I live (western country nsw) is uncommon. I feel pretty lucky. 🙂
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This is sooo cool! Very very unique too. Congrats on the great find!
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Thanks! You must come over and check it out!! 🙂
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Mandy it is just beautiful & totally amazing and superlatives fail me!!!!! I can’t wait to see it – please don’t tell me you’re going to put it in “Winterfell”! It needs to be somewhere you can look at it CONSTANTLY!!!!!
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Thanks Vicki. I’m pretty chuffed with it!! 🙂
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OMGoodness!! I love that! It’s so beautiful! What an amazing find.
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I feel very lucky! Thanks 🙂
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What a beauty! I long for the day when I find something this perfect. And I have a lot of ‘neat’ stuff.
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Thanks! Good luck on your hunt!! 🙂
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Utterly breathtaking! You will never regret having bought it, I am certain!
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Ha! I think you could be right. No regrets. 🙂
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I grew up in Pittsburgh, and although there’s not much info on this company, I thought you might be interested in this high res copy of an old ad:
It’s cool that it says on the bottom that they are “Sole Agents for North and South America, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan”. It’s an awesome piece- thanks for sharing!!
Mike
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Brilliant! Love that ad. I shamefully haven’t looked into the company very thoroughly. Thanks so much for posting this. 🙂
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Glad to share!
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I have another bown cabinet two years older (1907) and nearly identical in appearance. They are definetely one of a kind and a real eye catcher. I have considered selling it and contacting you seems a good first step. Any interest?
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Thank you for asking but I’m not really interested. I’m sure you would have no trouble in selling it. They are fantastic pieces of history. 🙂
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