A Charles II oak mural cupboard second half 17th century

the upper section with turned balustrade incorporating a door, the base of panelled construction, with lozenge carving and a door

Good. Typical wear with old chipping. The top with usual splits. The left side cornice return is an old replacement. The turned components are generally tidy except for one within the door that has old worm and residual fragmenting. The upper edge of the door has an old aperture and an old indent to the timber. The door is slightly loose on its pin hinges and with two key apertures. Lock later and key lacking. The floor of this upper section with separations and slight warping to the boarded floor. The horizontal moulding below the upper door has old fragmenting as can be seen in the catalogue illustration. The lower door has a section of replaced timber on the right side that accommodates the pin hinges and the door is slightly loose on the hinges. There is a timber insert and filler around the key aperture. The reverse of the door with later lock, key lacking, and two later metal strengthening brackets to the frame. Typical old split in door panel. The front shows old repair in carved detail at top of door by hinge site and an adjacent filled aperture in the gouge carved terminal. The left side with replaced rear vertical framing to the panel. The interior with a later timber door stop and usual splits to floor. The back shows usual splits, losses, traces of old worm, fragmenting and pierced hanging apertures. The end terminals now with two good iron hasp hanging brackets. This good looking mural cupboard has attractive patina and the front details are conforming on the sides to give added visual presence to this lot.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Hanging wall cupboards are illustrated and discussed in Victor Chinnery, Oak Furniture, The British Tradition, Woodbridge, 1979, p. 329-340. Chinnery contends that they were made to either contain food or drinking glasses and other valuable commodities (glass being costly and the display of it would have been an indicator of an owner's wealth). Fragile Items could be displayed securely and safely and food stuffs could be well ventilated and away from vermin.

For an example with spindle turned components and a lozenge motif to the centre of a panelled door see Nyetimber Manor, Sotheby's Olympia, 27th September 2001, lot 1082.