A rare English carved oak canted cupboard 16th Century

the later boarded top above a central door with projecting carved portrait of a bearded gentleman with hat, below is a drawer with scroll motif, the sides with Romayne carved panels and with mythological beasts, restorations

Good considering age and use. Some peg losses. Slight warping to top with old separation and partial split. The door with old vertical split and old repair to secure this split in the lower section of the door.The door now of slightly bowed form with some re-building and later applied backing. Alteration to hinges and old fragmenting around these sites on the carcase. Old fragmenting to carcase adjacent to key aperture of door. The lower drawer with partial splits and wear. The sides with traces of old worm and some losses on the framing and on the lower left side with exposed mortice. The rear with typical fragmenting and worm.
"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 finely carved panel to the front of this cupboard relates closely to two other panels, dated circa 1530-40, see Victor Chinnery, Oak Furniture, The British Tradition, Woodbridge, 1979, p. 424, fig. 424. Chinnery writes 'this beautiful pair of panels, which show clear signs of the original framing, are doubtlessly portraits of man and wife. A strong sense of pattern may be discerned in the man's beard and his wife's neck-piece'. We see this 'pattern' in the form of the stylised beard featured on the central portrait panel of the man in the offered lot.

A comparison can also be made with lot 286 in this sale. It features a kissing couple supported by a stylised gadrooned chalice. We see the same treatment by the woodcarver to the panels on the side of this offered lot. The same receptacle is used as a supporting device.

The canted shape of this cupboard is interesting. It shares the same outline usually seen on credence tables. It may well have had an upper tier or canopy, compare to other fine cupboards from the period. See 'The Wynn Buffet' in the Burrell Collection, Glasgow for a cupboard with carved panels and of three tiers. Illustrated Percy Macquoid, The Age of Oak, London, 1938, plate III.

For another cupboard from the same period, which features similar gadrooned chalice carving see Ralph Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, Woodbridge, second edition, 1954, Vol. II, p. 190, fig. 2.