English Oak, Walnut and Mahogany Corner Cupboards
Antique English Corner Cupboards - walnut cross banded glazed-door corner cupboard - walnut bow-fronted corner cupboard - oak corner cupboard of 18th Century with panelled doors - 18th century mahogany bow-fronted corner cupboard with fluted pilasters - 18th century mahogany corner cupboard - country corner cupboard - corner cupboard with with three drawers
Although antique corner cupboards were made throughout the 17th century they do not seem to have come into more general use until the end of it. From then until about 1750 corner cupboards were made in the prevailing taste for town use, but subsequently they seem to have retired to the country as far as manufacture is concerned. For this reason perhaps, the majority of hanging corner cupboards found in shops nowadays are of later 18th century date and often made of oak, with mahogany cross banding or decoration. Inlaid shells and paterae are also frequently found in these later pieces.
It is almost certain that bow-fronted corner cupboards fetch more in price than flat ones; generally due to their greater elegance; as a general form however the corner cupboard is not over-popular and has not
appreciated in value as much as more utilitarian pieces in the everyday sense such as chairs, chests, dining tables and bureaux. The pine open corner cupboards of Essex type have had something of a vogue and can
generally be put to more decorative use than the closed hanging type.
A walnut cross banded glazed-door corner cupboard of c. 1725 with broken pediment. It has been suggested that such cupboards became popular at the time to store and display the expensive tea sets then in vogue.
The figure of the walnut veneers is elegantly matched and the moulding on the cornice is cross-grained.
Value points: Quality of decoration and veneers
Quality and colour of cross-grained mouldings Quality of glazing
A walnut bow-fronted corner cupboard with cross banding c. 1720. Possibly designed to stand on a larger bow-fronted corner cupboard.
Value points: Small Size
Quality, figure and patination of veneer
Solid walnut bow-fronted corner cupboard of c. 1730 of country origin. The construction and mouldings are very simple.
Value points: Colour and patination .. Size - small
Quality of mouldings
An oak corner cupboard of c. 1740 with panelled doors banded in mahogany. Cupboards of this style, often as a low stand were made from the beginning of the century onwards but the dentillated top cornice and mahogany decoration indicate the date mentioned. Rather a large form of corner cupboard generally.
Value points: Colour and patination Quality of mouldings
A mid 18th century oak bow-fronted corner cupboard with fluted pilasters. The ‘H’ hinges are typical of the type used by country makers, although the pilasters add quality to the piece.
Value points: Colour and patination
Small size
Mid 18th century mahogany corner cupboard with broken pediment and panelled doors. The moulding to the cornice is finely executed and the dark figured mahogany in the shaped door panels is rich in colour.
Value points: Size - slender width
Colour and patination
Figure of wood and decoration Moulded cornice
A small mid 18th century oak corner cupboard with the door having a fielded panel inlaid with a star decoration in boxwood and ebony. This latter decoration is found on other furniture of the second quarter of the 18th century and continued in country use until later. Beware however of ‘improvers’ who inlaid the pattern at a later date.
Value points: Colour and patination Inlaid decoration
Oak bow-fronted country corner cupboard with mahogany banding on the doors. Probably of late 18th century date. The top moulding is dentillated and there is an inlaid medallion in boxwood and ebony at the top of the flat side surfaces,
Value points: Colour and patination Size - Slender in width Decoration and inlays
Late 18th century mahogany corner cupboard with fluted sides and decorated with satinwood inlays. The oval central panel to the door is decorated with a beautifully figured piece of mahogany veneer. The top cornice is dentillated with satinwood inlay and the frieze is also decorated with an inlaid satinwood classical motif.
Value points: Colour and patination
Figure of wood and decoration Size - Slender width
A late 18th century oak corner cupboard with a panelled door with three drawers below. Beneath the bold top cornice moulding there is a band of mahogany veneer. The three small drawers suggest that the piece may have been designed for kitchen use although the quality of construction and door panel moulding are of fairly refined craftsmanship.
Value points: Colour and patination Decoration and inlays Quality of mouldings Drawers below