Restored Hannah Cabinet to return to Lismore

By Liam Jennings

Lismore City Council is excited to announce that International Conservation Services (ICS) has been selected to restore the renowned Hannah Cabinet, which was damaged during the 2022 natural disaster.

Among 1,400 artworks affected by the floodwaters, the beloved Cabinet was fortunate to escape severe harm. As the water levels rose, it tipped onto its back, sparing its intricate front from direct water exposure and significant damage.

Crafted by master artisan Geoff Hannah OAM over six-and-a-half years, the Cabinet was purchased for $1 million following a community-led fundraising effort.

This masterpiece, created in the traditional European style, features 34 types of solid timber and veneers, four rare shell varieties, and 17 different kinds of precious and semi-precious stones. Its structure is built from mahogany, with ebony columns.

Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg expressed his delight at the restoration efforts, looking forward to the Cabinet’s return to Lismore.

“The fact that the community helped to raise funds to purchase the Cabinet so that it would stay in Lismore shows how much it is loved,” he said.

“Like the reopening of the Lismore Regional Gallery, the return of the restored Hannah Cabinet will be welcomed by our community. The only question now is where we locate this important cultural asset once it is restored.”

In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, Patinations Conservation Services stepped in to halt the Cabinet’s deterioration and began the initial restoration process. Greg Peters, the director, who has a long-standing relationship with master craftsman Geoff Hannah OAM, is a highly skilled expert in furniture conservation.

The full cost of the restoration is being covered by insurance.

Greg Peters stated: “It was devastating to see the condition of the cabinet when we received it into our workshop. But with decades of experience of restoring national treasures and incorporating traditional techniques with state-of-the-art conservation equipment and methodology, our results to date have been extremely pleasing.”

Hannah Cabinet in the aftermath of 2022 flood – Photo Mia Forrest 2022. Courtesy of Lismore Regional Gallery

Mr Hannah is pleased that the Cabinet is finally on the way to being fully restored.

“It was heartbreaking to see it immediately after the flood,” he said. “Following restoration work by Mr Peters and Mr Fardon, I am confident the cabinet will be back to its original state. It will be a wonderful day when the public will be able to see it again.”

The initial stabilisation phase included thorough cleaning, drying, and repeated remediation treatments. The next stage of this extensive restoration project will involve almost completely dismantling the Cabinet and carefully re-adhering the veneers.

Julian Bickersteth AO from ICS, who is trained in furniture conservation, will oversee the restoration process and has played a key role in the recovery of the Gallery’s collection.

“Amidst the devastation of the Lismore floods, the fact that the Hannah Cabinet not only survived but was restorable has been a positive that we have held onto,” he said.

“Managing that restoration project is a great privilege, and we look forward to having this unique and extraordinary cabinet back on display.”

Geoff Hannah will be directly involved with the restoration by consulting and guiding Colin Fardon, his colleague whom he has mentored for over 18 years. Mr Fardon and Mr Peters will be responsible for the re-French polishing and re-gilding phases of work, including any repairs, the final assembly, and adjustments of timber components for proper operation.
Mr Fardon looks forward to the task ahead.

“I was fortunate enough to see the Hannah Cabinet being created over six years. It has been the single most inspirational piece to me and my career. To now be asked to work on the restoration is an honour. I am ready for the many challenges ahead and look forward to seeing it proudly on display looking amazing again,” he said.

Lismore Regional Gallery Director Ashleigh Ralph said the Cabinet could not be in better hands.

“It has been a long journey to get to this point, and I’m thrilled the recovery of the Cabinet is in the expert hands of Bickersteth, Peters and Fardon, and Hannah himself,” she said.

“I know it will be restored to its former glory, with the story of Lismore now embedded in its legacy.”
Once the Cabinet is fully restored and reassembled, it will return to the care of Lismore Regional Gallery, a process that could take up to two-and-a-half years.

In the meantime, the Hannah Cabinet continues to inspire as part of one of the Gallery’s major exhibitions, “Hannah Halle,” on display until 17 November.

The artist duo, The ArtHitects, have transformed the space using over 4,000 sheets of A4 paper. This exhibition symbolically reimagines the Hannah Cabinet, featuring original drawings by Geoff Hannah and contributions from local artists such as Lindy Lee AM, Bronwyn Bancroft, Daniel Browning, Aris Prabawa, and many others.