A fine Charles II carved and inlaid oak rocking cradle third quarter 17th century

the arched hinged canopy above a spindle turned gallery and with turned finial surmounts, the panelled sides with foliate scrolls and chevron bog oak and holly inlaid borders mounted with turned knobs, the head end with stylised carving including exotic birds and mask, the end of the cradle incorporating a boxed drawer, on shaped rockers

Childhood - A Loan Exhibition of Paintings and Works of Art in aid of the Save the Children Fund, these rooms, 2nd-27th January 1983, Cat. no. 36.

Good, tidy and an exceptional example with carved panels and inlaid banding. There is the usual wear, old chipping and indents commensurate with use and age. The hinged canopy with old repair to fracture on front left corner of base. One of the two tall turned finials by this canopy is a sympathetic replacement. The outer side of the cradle head end with some minor losses of inlay and some old fragmenting on the upper edge of the upper horizontal inlaid rail. The long sides generally tidy with some very minor inlay losses. The turned spindles good though some traces of old worm and some typical though very minor chipping. The outer cradle end good, some wear on corner of drawer front and some minor loss of inlay. The rockers with wear and the rocker at the cradle drawer end with small partial split and minor old fragmenting on one outer tip. Interior generally tidy and usual separations to floor. There is a section of timber lacking from the top of the boxed in section that contains the drawer and old fragmenting on the reverse of the square uprights that form the interior corners of this foot end of the cradle. This lot is of good colour and appealing appearance. It is a superior example when compared to other cradles from the period.
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The chevron inlay, carved mask and bird motifs would suggest that this fine piece originated from the South Yorkshire / West Riding area. These characteristics are usually seen on backstools from this area see Victor Chinnery, Oak Furniture, The British Tradition, Woodbridge, 1979, p. 480. For a matched set of this sort of seat furniture which features similar carved detailing see Fine Furniture, these rooms, 1st October 2008, lot 32.

In the Childhood exhibition cited above the piece is called 'North Country Style'. The catalogue entry states that the rear drawer 'enabled the introduction of a hot wrapped brick for winter comfort'.