RATHER nice to own a safe-cum-champagne-cooler that once graced the office of a grand eastern potentate in some far-flung trading outpost.
The London Antiques Company has an exclusive cache of these old safes to be seen at their Fulham, London showrooms. Wonderful relics of Empire, they date back to the 19th and early 20th century, sent out east to the banks and shops and government offices to keep safe money, jewels, documents, opium, firearms and any other valuables.
London-based entrepeneur Sven Lorenz discovered a warehouse full of these Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco creations during his travels in Asia, and recognising their craftsmanship as well as their potential for conversion, had a container of them shipped back to England. Here, he teamed up with Wendy Salisbury, an authority in the world of humidors, who has been responsible for overseeing the metamorphosis of these depositories into new uses. Now, their interiors have been transformed into wine and champagne coolers, cedar-lined humi-drawers for the preservation of up to 500 cigars, cocktail compartments, jewellery trays and games chests, some still with secret safe compartments. The exteriors retain the coats of arms, engraved insignia, ornamental name plates and symbols that are testaments to their history. Some even have the Royal Crest of the Lion and the Unicorn, proof of their imperial background. And after considerable research work on the part of Wendy Salisbury, each comes with a little potted history giving as much information as she was able to find about the individual safe.
No two are alike and some have been left in their original state, so that they may be customised to personal requirements. Prices range from £9,500 up to £85,000.
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