Rare Early 17th Century Oak and Elm Half Press c. 1620

An extremely rare and small Charles I half width oak press cupboard - early 17th Century.

With applied carved architectural arches to each door with carved leaf and berry spandrel motifs on knulled terminals. The arches carved with open flower heads and with punched decoration. Each door Flanked by architectural and knulled capitals.

The upper and lower case joined with stepped out ring turned cup and cover supports.

Two single hand azed boards of elm to the back, original also. The substantial doors, each of two joined oak boards, with original inset iron pintel and strap hinges. These open and close smoothly. The upper door with replacement iron lock and early working key, the lower door retaining most of its original iron lock and with an early iron drop handle.

Original stile feet to front, continuous with the framing, with some losses at the tips, one very small later 1 inch piece of oak scarfed in to inner return of top right hand corner of projecting cornice – professional and very well blended and both rear stiles have been re-tipped. In remarkably good condition for age, with a lovely colour throughout and good natural patination.

A really early example of a rare size and form, English made by skilled hands in c. 1620