Superb Initialled and Dated Charles II Oak Press Court Cupboard - Dated 1685

A very beautiful 17th Century oak court cupboard of excellent proportions, perfect for a cottage as it stands at only 58.75 inches high, and retains its original oak boards throughout and has an excellent colour and natural patination.

The cupboard is dated 1685 and carries the initials I. H. M along its cornice. The boldly carved date and initials set between particularly well carved daisies, ivy and foliage.

The press has been well cared throughout its 350 years of use and life and it is remarkable that it has survived in such superb condition. Like so many pieces of early oak, it gives clues about the past and the generations who have used and cared for it. An example of this is the mark from a candle lit probably 300 years ago which burned into the oak of the mid-shelf and the flames then licked the drop finial on the left of the cupboard and this has been reshaped to remove the burnt timber.

The cupboard doors have no handles and this has led to the top corners of the doors being used as handles so that over the centuries the oak here has become rounded and worn smooth with wonderful patination to the doors and the carved frieze above.

The upper case has three fielded panels carved with stylised tulips, roses and daisies, in the gothic tradition, and which are common in late medieval carving. The lower case has a frieze of running foliate S scrolls centred with a tulip which matches in the panels above, and the doors with three fielded panels to each, the upper panel with running geometric and foliate forms.

Original backboards. The upper and lower case have locating posts in the sub-frame. The upper case can be removed from the lower for transport.
Minor repairs, losses, some old worm holes but long since dead. Twin boarded original top. All boards including bottom boards thickly hewn with tool marks and original The oak thumb turns an 18th or 19th century addition and these work very well.

Fabulous original colour, deep natural patination.

A rare, early and beautiful dated example, probably Lancashire.