Is this a gramophone pedestal stand?

[epigramophone]

The auctioneers describe this as a gramophone pedestal, but the holes in the top suggest that it may have had some other purpose.
Whatever that original purpose was, or whether the holes were added later, the design is an extravagant waste of storage space.

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auct ... 6400acd945

[Steve]

I know I sound like a broken record but the incompetence of auctioneers never ceases to amaze me. No, I don't think it's a gramophone pedestal because it is apparently 38cm wide, which is almost identical to every aspidistra stand of the period but also if you think about, even a 10" turntable base is likely to be at least 12" square across the motorboard. 38cm is roughly 15" so that leaves just 1 and ½ inches left either side for the plinth moldings and clearance to the edge of the pedestal. I think not!

The cupboard would have served to store records if this was made to display a gramophone but that cupboard is not tall enough and with this design it would have been made for "vertical" storage, not horizontal storage. I think the top is also hinged or removable? Note the key hole indicating that the top box section can be opened and locked for security.

But come on, 38cm diameter?!!!! Didn't they go to school? Any child in junior school knows a diameter refers to a circle. It's not round!

[epigramophone]

Here is one of the "other purposes" which I considered :

[Steve]

Here is one of the "other purposes" which I considered :

That's exactly what it was originally used for.......and still could be today!

[Steve]

Which reminds me........

My Pathé Modele E sits atop a similar "chamber pot cupboard" but I think in this case I'd struggle to find anything which could be a better match? The cupboard needs restoration and repolishing by which time it should hopefully be darker in colour and more vibrant looking to match the gramophone which is completely original and unrestored.