A Fabulous Small Charles I Oak Mural Glass Cupboard

As is normally the case with this type of cupboard, the construction is very simple – a boarded back, top and bottom again single boards with a shelf across the middle, and vertically boarded ends. 

However, this cupboard has a spectactular front, possibly the best I have seen, both from a point of view of proportion and carving. 

The deep top rail has a band of lunette carving, below which are two arches decorated with stylised gadrooning, embellished throughout with punch decoration. Below the gadrooning is a narrow band of thumb gouge carving. The thumb gouged decoration is repeated on the front of the shelf, bottom rail and the uprights to each end. The centre vertical narrow board has a tulip flower at the top, with pairs of leaves sprouting from a central stem. 

A beautiful and rare piece – lovely colour, surface and condition.

English, circa 1630.

Width 24 inches, height 20 inches, depth 5 inches.

Ref 2080