Jan & John Maggs
Antiques and Art
A spectacular early seventeenth-century oak court cupboard
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Without doubt, the most lavishly decorated court cupboard we’ve ever owned, and the quality of the carving is exceptional. The piece is in two sections, each crowned by a frieze in which alternating circles and rectangles frame three floral figures: the Tudor rose, a multi-petalled flower, perhaps a daisy; and a third, more abstract than the other two. The upper and lower friezes are identical but for the pair of lions that frame the upper.
Between the two friezes and appearing to support the upper one are two large, densely carved cup-and-cover posts with scrolls at their tops. Just inside the posts are two square doors, each with a joined frame of carved running guilloches and three additional bands of carving. Each of these two frames supports an oak panel decorated with inlaid ebony and holly in an elaborate and symmetrical geometric arrangement. The doors are hinged in the standard way for the period – invisible iron pins – and both are intact. Behind the cup-and-cover posts, and nearly invisible, is a new carved motif consisting of elongated vertical diamonds which appear to be joined by carved rings.
The central panel is framed by two crowned caryatids standing behind a lectern carved with festive flowers and scrolls. Based upon the date, it is possible that they represent James I and his Queen, Anne of Denmark. The floral emblem of the Danish crown is the daisy!
The panel between the royals is framed by a heavily carved pedimented arch, and the posts below are inlaid with ebony and holly, in a different pattern from the other inlay and with dark and light colors reversed. In the upper portion of the panel the date 1610 is inlaid in ebony.
Compared to this festival of carving and inlay, the lower section is rather bland, although its side stiles are carved with the pattern of their counterparts on the upper section, and the quite plain three-panel doors are attached with foliated H hinges with crowned hearts – top of the line and original to the piece.
It is remarkable that this four hundred-year-old piece has come down to us in such outstanding condition. With the exception of two of the seven floorboards of the lower section and the medial shelf (added by us to replace the lost original with no attempt to conceal), it is all original.
English, 1610 Width: 48”; Height: 63 ½”; Depth: 26”
Price: $6500
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Inventory #27739
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