Two secrets were revealed on the same day at Lismore Regional Gallery.

Just after it was announced that the $1million had been raised to buy and keep the Hannah Cabinet in Lismore as part of Gallery’s permanent collection, its creator Geoff Hannah showed Gallery director Brett Addlington how to access one of the 16 secret drawers inside the cabinet.

The compartment contains a precious piece of brocade material from Marie Antoinette’s bedroom at Versailles.

Geoff said there are still some secret compartments inside the cabinet which he would reveal in the future.

Hannah Cabinet Acquisition Team members Brian Henry said he has been one of the presenters showing the cabinet to visitors for an hour every Wednesday for the past two years. 

“Over 8,000 visitors have attended these sessions with many from outside the local area,” he said. 

“We know a lot about 125 of the drawers, but we don’t know how to access them.”

Brian said the acquisition team was formed three years ago to fundraise, but only started to collect donations in November last year.

“We managed to achieve it two months ago but needed to wait for the Federal Government to approve the project,” he said proudly.

“Myself and Gaela Hurford came up with the fundraising strategy, implemented it and spoke to the right people – then the cabinet sold itself – with its 140 drawers, marquetry, stones, shell and stories behind the doors.

Brian said it was important that the Gallery bought the cabinet because it was an important piece of fine furniture made by a local master craftsman who is recognised world-wide.

“People just love it,” he said. “And having it here will ensure this regional gallery becomes a destination bringing visitors to Lismore.”

“Otherwise, it may have ended up in a gallery overseas like some of Geoff’s other masterpieces,” he said.

Gaela said many people thought that it would be “impossible” to raise a million for a work of art in a country town. 

“But we have had incredible support from local individuals and families and local small to medium business owners,” she said.

“We had firstly raised over $500,000 from the community and this gave the State and Federal Government confidence that this project was worthy of their support and would benefit the Lismore economy, especially down town Lismore which had been devastated by the floods back in 2017.”

Brian said there would be a second phase in the fundraising strategy.

“We now need to collect the pledges of money people made,” he said.

“These pledges were legal documents and now we ask you to now honour your pledge.”

Brian said there would be more than the anticipated $1million raised, and the extra money was necessary to ensure there would be money to promote and maintain the cabinet.

“We’d also like to make interactive video so people can see what’s inside the cabinet without us having to open up the drawers each time.

“You’ll be able to touch the screen and one of the drawers will open and reveal itself.

“It’s always a gobsmacking experience when you open it up and pull out the drawers.”