17th Century Table Top Oak Spice Cabinet c. 1670

In the 16th and 17th centuries spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves were as expensive per ounce as gold and were kept under lock and key. Only the wealthy could afford to buy them and cabinets such as this were made bespoke to house them safely.
This beautiful cabinet was made by hand in 1660-1680 with a fielded panel door which has been applied with well shaped geometric mouldings and retains its original rivet fixed iron hinges.

With the original iron lock with large apparently original key and with the original shaped escutcheon.

The six internal spice drawers are well proportioned and attractively configured with three short over two wider over one long drawer. Each retaining its original hand cast brass drop handle with snaped wire fixing. The drawers have their original oak linings other than one with a backboard replaced a long time ago and in some there is a lovely aroma of the spices they once stored.

Large and sturdy, the cupboard has its original top boards with ogee border which is repeated to the plinth. The small bun feet are very old and appear to be original also. The cabinet was made as a table top piece rather than wall hung with original nailed backboards of wainscot hand adzed oak.

Very solid with a really beautiful colour with most attractive and very aged small dings and bruises blended within an original rich patination.

 
A truly exceptional and original example