James I Oak Mural Livery Cupboard on Stand c. 1620

A good early 17th Century English oak mural livery cupboard used for storing rations of food, candles and beer.

These ventilated small mural livery cupboards were sometimes built into walls or wall hung or, as here, placed on a stand. The cupboards were commonplace in 15th, 16th and early 17th century households but few have survived. Larger, carved and inlaid cupboards would have served a high status family, smaller cupboards such as this - with few decorative features and holding just one or two liveries or rations – were for lower status family members or for the household retainers and servants. The spindles here are original and well turned and though simple and functional in form, there is carved decoration and detailing in the door. The original keyhole is still present but a later keyhole added with a later lock – probably 18th century.

By the mid 17th century the practice of serving livery had all but disappeared and despite such mural cupboards being once plentiful, very few still survive.

The turned spindles prevented theft and a woven cloth would have been set across the window to keep out weavils and other insects.

The stand is contemporaneous with the cupboard, the back board unfinished and unpolished with simple boarded and pegged construction and an applied moulded gallery over ring turned legs united by stretchers. It may be associated, but it looks and feels right and certainly has been with this cupboard for a very long time and the colour and wear are the same.

The central shelf is original with thumb moulded border. The upper shelf is extremely old but may be a later addition.

The heavy iron axe head hinges are original and riveted.

Peg jointed throughout and comprising all original boards to the case including substantive bottom board.

Evidence of old worm (long dead), cracks, knocks, scuffs and losses consistent with the great age of this cupboard.

Heavy and solid and the whole with an excellent colour.