A fine James I oak panelled mural cupboard early 17th century

the moulded cornice above a door carved with a central roundel depicting a pelican of piety within a ribbed border flanked by two plain panels, with channelled side panels, the interior with an elm shelf, formerly with a frieze moulding

Nyetimber Manor, Sotheby's Olympia, 27th September 2001, lot 1160.

Generally good but with typical wear including old chipping and indents. The top with usual old fragmenting. The cornice with partial old fragmenting on the front as seen in the catalogue illustration. Slight fragmenting on front frieze which probably accommodated a former applied moulding. The door with wear and two key apertures. Wear, ghosting and partial split on hinge sites. The timber door catch is later and some paler honey colour around this area. The left front panel with an old iron staple on the frame below the timber catch and some old timber apertures around this site. The sides are generally tidy. The twin panel back with a lot of old fragmenting and now with a modern metal horizontal rail to facilitate wall hanging. The interior with a lot of attractive wear commensurate with history with partial timber losses in back and worm to the shelf. The reverse of the door with lock lacking. This attractive cupboard is mainly of darkish colour and has good patina and rare carved detail to the door.
"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."

The Pelican in her Piety is an interesting choice for the wood carver the narrative depicts the bird killing one of its young and then piercing her breast to revive her remaining brood with her own blood. This is said to represent the fall and then redemption of man.