Vintage Red Ice Chest / Meat Safe Cabinet

Industrial Storage Cupboard | c.1930s–1950s

A striking original vintage ice chest–style cabinet, finished in bold red with cream interior panels and solid utilitarian hardware.

This piece sits firmly in the transition period between domestic refrigeration and industrial cold storage — the type of cabinet once found in butcheries, bakeries, cafés and institutional kitchens before modern electric fridges became universal.

Today, pieces like this are highly sought after for interior styling, retail display and feature storage, prized for their strong proportions, colour and honest construction.

📐 Approximate dimensions

(You may wish to add exact measurements if needed)

• Height: approx. 110–120 cm

• Width: approx. 55–60 cm

• Depth: approx. 45–50 cm

🧱 Construction

• Timber cabinet with metal-lined interior

• Original hinged doors with period latch hardware

• Lower access panel

• Raised on short legs

• Later red repaint (older repaint, not modern gloss)

🕰️ Era

Circa 1930s–1950s

⚠️ Condition

• Structurally solid

• Doors open and close well

• Original metal interior lining present

• Surface wear, marks and patina consistent with age and prior working life

• Presents extremely well as a display or statement piece

• Missing top latch (priced accordingly)

No attempt has been made to over-restore — character retained.

🏡 Ideal use

• Café or bar display

• Retail fit-out

• Kitchen or pantry feature

• Record cabinet

• Linen or drinks storage

• Film / theatre / photographic prop

This is the kind of piece that anchors a room.

📦 Delivery

Due to size and weight:

• Local pickup preferred from Northam Secondhand

• Budget delivery available to Perth / Wheatbelt by arrangement

• Please enquire prior to checkout for freight options

Rationale:

• Strong industrial crossover appeal

• Excellent colour presence

• Increasing scarcity of intact ice chest cabinets