17th Century Jacobean Country Carved Oak Tiered Server, 1600s

Details

Description

A gorgeous and extremely rare jacobean tiered oak court cupboard or server stand in good antique condition. Most likely made … Read more A gorgeous and extremely rare jacobean tiered oak court cupboard or server stand in good antique condition. Most likely made in england in the late 16th / early 17th century with possibly later elements, this splendidly historical but still extremely usable and versatile piece is dripping with the signs of its incredible age and is adorned with stunning carvings. A fabulous standout item, as well as functioning for storage and display, it will add lovely rich colouring and aged appeal, wonderful decorative charm and a rare, genuine historical aesthetic to any interior.

traditionally hand-crafted, this beautiful antique has two tiers of solid oak board planks with plugged tenon joins above two superbly carved oak aprons. The upper apron features carvings of two smiling jester-like jacobean children’s faces flanking a more sombre younger child or cherub in the centre. They are surrounded by alternating convexly and concavely carved floral or sun disc decorations above an arched fasciae, while the lower apron has the more traditional but eminently charming carvings of jacobean arches.

the front upright posts are of lovely turned oak with bulbous balustrade decoration, the side aprons have tiered rectangular carvings and the lower stretchers have lovely rounded tops.

all in all this is a simply stunning example of jacobean country furniture, which won’t fail to impress and will add utility, versatility and a jaw-droppingly antique aesthetic to any setting.

history of court cupboards
now called server or buffet stands, originally this would have been called a ‘cupboard’ (boards for storing cups and household items), which differed from a ‘close cupboard’, which had doors and which we now simply call ‘cupboards’. The ‘court’ part of the name is taken from the french for ‘short’ and court cupboards such as this had two or three-tiered shelving with plain rear posts and heavily adorned and carved front posts and aprons. They were produced throughout the jacobean period and although their popularity declined in the fashionable cities from the later 17th century, they were still produced by country craftsmen thereafter.

condition
this is in good antique condition. Beautifully hand-crafted, reassuringly heavy and structurally sound, there are to-be-expected signs of historic wear-and-tear which only add to its fantastic antique appeal, including splits, gouges and two diamond-cut repairs to the planks. Most interestingly, the undershelf of the lower tier seems to have been re-used from an old building or ship, being painted and having score, or possibly arrow marks on it, adding intrigue and historical weight to this super antique. As with nearly all pieces of this age, there are signs of historic woodworm – a few holes to the rear of the top tier and the most affected area being out of sight and to the rear upper sections, and the whole piece has been treated for good measure. Overall this is a simply stunning and wonderfully historical piece which offers versatility and usefulness and will enhance any setting with its superbly decorative jacobean charms.

measurements
height – 94cm, width – 114.5cm, depth - 45cm, max height under lower shelf – 49.5cm, max height under top shelf – 39.5cm, weight – 28kg. See less