A Charles II Oak Press Cupboard

This beautifully proportioned piece is very typical of the press cupboards made in Westmorland, where they held a place of importance in Lakeland life. Like many, this cupboard would have been given as a wedding present - demonstrated by the triad of marriage initials on the top rail - MBM, together with the date 1680, which is integrated into the deeply carved top rail. The decoration to the panels is with the use of channel and run mouldings. The cupboard retains its fine dark colour and patina, common to this area (reputedly due to generations of housewives using a mixture of bull's blood, vinegar and beeswax). 

Westmorland, 1680

Westmorland cupboards are a particular favourite of ours and we often have six or seven in stock.