Cupboard cabinet

The cupboard was part of the furnishings of a private apartment of Janina Szczerska (born on 22 October 1897 in Stryj, died on 10 July 1981 in Szczecin) – Polish language teacher, founder and director of the first Polish secondary school in post-war Szczecin. The piece of furniture was donated to the collection of the National Museum in Szczecin in a will drafted on 1 September 1976. Cupboards, which originated from boxes and chests, had their heyday in the 15th century, when they were used in churches to store priests' vestments and liturgical equipment. It took them a while to be used in secular houses as representative furniture, often richly adorned and painted. Over the centuries, there have been numerous varieties of cupboards over the centuries, with varying designs, sizes and shapes. Particularly popular were sideboard cupboards used for storing and displaying dishes, food and tableware. Initially characterised by low and wide design, usually with two locking doors at the front and top-mounted drawers, they became taller and larger over time. In simplified variants, devoid of sophisticated decorations, these pieces of furniture were also used by poorer townsfolk.

Anna Lew-Machniak