Digital Value-Added Website of Technological Artifacts, NSTM Collections (Home)

The matrix cabinet was a large cabinet used for storing matrices. These were custom built for the pattern sellers. There were no specific dimensions, so the cabinet was divided into different compartments inside with thin wooden strips. The character molds were then arranged by the stroke-count for their radicals. The lowest layer was solid timber and left empty so items could be placed there when retrieving molds.

This matrix cabinet dates back to the 1940's and was owned by the Fonghsing Type Foundry that relocated from Xiamen to Taiwan to escape the war. It was used for storing regular script matrices. Different type sizes meant the cabinets' interior arrangements varied as well. Cabinets could be placed by themselves or stacked to save space. Drawers were inserted into the cabinets containing prepared matrices. The script was indicated on the front of the drawer to make retrieving molds for casting type easier.

L:50.00 cm X W:46.00 cm X H:77.00 cm

Movable type printing