A fine Charles II carved oak, fruitwood and inlaid press cupboard third quarter 17th century

decorated throughout with gouge carving and channelled mouldings, the projecting guilloche and flower head frieze with fruitwood block corners and turned pendants, the recessed upper section with holly and bog oak chevron inlay, punchwork and twin panelled doors carved with stylised foliage and flowerheads flanked by three narrow panels with flower head roundels, the lower section with a pair of doors incorporating repeated pattern carving in the upper panels

Good with superb patina and colour. Typical wear with old marks, indents and chipping throughout. The polished top with usual separation, partial splits and traces of worm. The rear left corner has a fragmented detached section of timber which is contained in a small tied bag. The front moulded rim with old fragmented losses. The fruitwood components at the end of the frieze with wear and old worm. Inlaid details good. Carved panels good. The left door with some minor losses on the left vertical moulding and repair in lower left corner of the door. The door is slightly loose on its pin hinges. The right door also slightly loose on hinges. The vertical moulding adjacent to the right of this door with partial old loss. The interior with small timber door stops and typical separations to floor. Typical partial split and black marks on the moulded ledge. The lower left door with old fragmented loss on the right vertical moulded framing. The right door frame with repair in lower right corner and small old split in lower left corner. Interior floor with usual separations and old fragmenting. Sides generally tidy considering age and use. The rear with usual separations, fragmenting, partial splits and old worm. This lot benefits from no re-tipping or spliced repair to the feet. This press cupboard is a fine example with numerous good and visual details. It falls into a superior group of similar pieces as it has so much going for it.
"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 sophisticated carved geometric decoration to the front may well have been inspired by plates from a pattern book. Printed material which featured such motifs and pattern books were widely disseminated across Europe. Architect designers such as Sebastiano Serlio (1475-1554) and Hans Vredeman de Vries (1527-1604) published treatise on design and architecture and often focused on geometry as central to achieving aesthetic excellence.

Detail of plate LXXIIII from Serlio's book IV.