Early Heavily Carved French Oak Court Cupboard

Early Heavily Carved French Oak Court Cupboard
Early Heavily Carved French Oak Court Cupboard
Early Heavily Carved French Oak Court Cupboard
Early Heavily Carved French Oak Court Cupboard
Early Heavily Carved French Oak Court Cupboard
Early Heavily Carved French Oak Court Cupboard
Early Heavily Carved French Oak Court Cupboard
Early Heavily Carved French Oak Court Cupboard
Early Heavily Carved French Oak Court Cupboard
Early Heavily Carved French Oak Court Cupboard
Early Heavily Carved French Oak Court Cupboard
Early Heavily Carved French Oak Court Cupboard

Early Heavily Carved French Oak Court Cupboard
An exceptional dark Chestnut or oak French court cupboard seldom found in this untouched condition. The elaborate chip-carved detail on close scrutiny seems to have been executed in different eras.

Like an ancient house, it may contain elements of different centuries, replacing or adding to features that had suffered the ravages of time. For the sake of simplicity, we would surmise that it is largely 17th century but may have some later iron reinforcement bands on the back of the hood.

The carved linenfold panels at the sides seem to be the oldest elements. While large by modern standards, (7-1/2' tall, 2'deep 4' wide) it not as behemoth as most early extant court cupboards. The majestic headpiece with its extravagant geometric and floral carving really distinguish this piece from the usual early court cabinet. It has two hand-dovetailed drawers in the center section with cleated bronze drop pulls, two pivoting cabinet doors under the elaborate Gothic style hood. This section has one shelf with a hand-forged door hook.

These portions make wonderful storage space. The principal carcass joints are characteristically fixed with wooden trenails throughout. Essentially it is comprised of an upper and lower section that lifts apart for moving. The bottom portion contains two elaborately carved columns, one of which is missing a small portion of carving at the bottom.

It really isn't that noticeable so isn't visually distracting. We originally thought the unique piece was English in origin but when we spotted an almost identical example (somewhat smaller but without the distinctive overhanging headpiece) illustrated in the Royal Chateau Amboise, in the Loire valley, France, we rethought its origin. An unusual piece of early furniture that really serves a timeless function as storage-display piece!

The item "Early Heavily Carved French Oak Court Cupboard" is in sale since Thursday, May 14, 2020. This item is in the category "Antiques\Furniture\Cabinets & Cupboards". The seller is "beeki" and is located in Lynchburg, Virginia.

This item can't be shipped, the buyer must pick up the item.


Early Heavily Carved French Oak Court Cupboard