Rosewood sideboard by Robert Heritage for Archie Shine

Stunning Robert Heritage ‘Hamilton’ rosewood sideboard for Archie Shine. 1950s.

[STORY OF THE HAMILTON SIDEBOARD]

In 1957, British designer Robert “Bob” Heritage created the groundbreaking Hamilton sideboard for furniture maker Archie Shine. The Hamilton was revolutionary—sleek, low, and modern—at a time when most British sideboards were shorter, boxier, and more traditional.

Heritage worked as a freelance consultant, believing that true innovation came from deep, research-led design rather than quick style updates. Before drawing the Hamilton, he spent weeks studying average room sizes—mainly in Harlow New Town—and found that most small modern homes had one wall that could accommodate a longer sideboard. This insight gave him the confidence to design something bold and unprecedented.

Archie Shine, who started as a cabinetmaker in the 1920s, was still running a small operation with just 30 employees by 1958. For him, producing a radical design like the Hamilton was a major business risk. While others like A. Younger had already introduced more modern ranges like the Volnay, nothing on the British market matched the Hamilton in length or minimalist form.

The Hamilton was named one of the “Twenty Designs of 1958” by the Design Centre, praised for its detailing and elegant contrast of textures and timbers—modern, yet timeless. While Danish teak sideboards had begun appearing in high-end UK stores, the Hamilton offered a distinctly British take on modernism.

Its success paved the way for other British designers such as Andrew Milne, Richard Hornby, John Herbert, and Tom Robertson to explore bold new forms.

 

230L * 80H * 51D in cm

–section one: 4 drawers, each drawer 81L-8H-38.5D;
–section two: 65L-41H-47D, removable curve shelf
–section three: 72L-41H-47D, removable curve shelf

Rosewood.

Small imperfection due to its age, but the piece is in good overall condition, especially considering its age and recent restoration.