Two sections of the Hannah Cabinet have returned to Lismore for the next stage of restoration, signalling an important step in its preservation.
Created by master craftsman Geoff Hannah over six and a half years and completed in 2008, the Hannah Cabinet is regarded as one of Australia's most intricate and celebrated pieces of furniture.
Standing eight feet high, it is crafted from 34 types of rare timbers and inlaid with four kinds of rare shells and 17 precious stones. The Cabinet features 18 doors, 140 drawers, and exquisitely detailed marquetry panels, including a series of secret compartments, each with its own key. Among these hidden spaces lies an extraordinary detail — a piece of fabric from the bedroom of Marie Antoinette at the Palace of Versailles.
The work is being carried out by local craftsperson Colin Fardon, in collaboration with master craftsperson Geoff Hannah OAM – creator of the Cabinet – and Greg Peters, Master Conservator at Patination Conservation Services in Canberra. Together, they bring more than 100 years of combined knowledge and experience in fine woodworking and furniture conservation, and all three hold Churchill Fellowships.
Mr Fardon, awarded a Fellowship in 2024, has recently returned from a study tour of European museums and restoration studios, including the Palace of Versailles near Paris, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, and the Royal Collection Workshop in London. He said the experience will guide the careful work required to restore the Cabinet.
"Seeing how leading institutions protect and repair historic furniture has been invaluable," Colin Fardon said. "It's rewarding to bring those insights home and apply them to this important project."
The Cabinet was among 1,400 artworks affected by the 2022 floods. As the waters rose, it tipped onto its back, sparing the intricate front from significant damage. It was removed from the building by over 20 people and sent to a cold storage facility in Canberra to stave off mould and commence restoration.
The ongoing restoration is expected to take a further two and a half years, with completion anticipated in mid-to-late 2028. The process will involve structural repairs, marquetry restoration, and fine finishing.
"It's encouraging to see the Cabinet cared for by such capable hands," said Geoff Hannah OAM. "Having one of my outstanding former students, Colin, leading the work, and Greg from Patinations bringing his detailed knowledge, gives me great confidence in its future."
"The Hannah Cabinet holds a special place in Lismore Regional Gallery's history," said Gallery Director Ashleigh Ralph. "The decision to commission a report in 2021 to deepen understanding of the Cabinet showed great foresight, informing both its current restoration and its preservation for future generations."
A campaign in 2019 raised $1 million to acquire and keep the Hannah Cabinet in Mr Hannah's hometown of Lismore and on display at the Lismore Regional Gallery.
"The Hannah Cabinet is very dear to the Lismore community," says the Lismore Mayor, Steve Krieg, "we raised money to purchase this very unique cabinet, and we look forward to its restoration as it represents another milestone in our recovery."
In October 2024, Lismore Regional Gallery re-opened its doors in a newly restored building. The singular and much-loved piece even has its own merchandise – a range of Hannah Cabinet socks, mugs, cards, and tea towels are available for purchase in the Gallery shop.
While its long-term display location is still being planned, discussions are underway to ensure the Cabinet can be safely exhibited so it remains accessible to future generations.
