This beautiful, one-of-a-kind cabinet was a rare find in the mountain of materials rescued from the grand old SALONA, the former Cunard liner IVERNIA of 1955. After a short career in Liverpool to Canada transatlantic service, IVERNIA was rebuilt into the swank cruise ship FRANCONIA in 1963 and last served as the hard-working Soviet-owned FEDOR SHALYAPIN before finally being scrapped at Alang in 2004.

 

From one of the officer’s cabins or a deluxe suite, the cabinet has an unfolding top and a door than hinges outward out to reveal a mirror-backed bar.  The mahogany glass holder (a work of art in itself) slides out and can be flipped over to make a great shelf for books or other items.

 

The lower portion of the cabinet has a pair of doors that reveal more bar trappings, most likely to hold bottles of liquor.  The craftsmanship and detailing are wonderful and the bar is in excellent condition and ready to “serve”.  Even the Art Deco/Odeon-inspired nickel door handles are original. 

 

The left side of the cabinet was flush with the bulkhead, so the builders didn’t use the same maple veneered ply that is on the front and right side of the cabinet.  This was part of my permanent collection but after acquiring more than I have space for, I am reluctantly letting it go in the hopes of it finding a new owner who will cherish it almost as much as I have for the past ten years.