17th Century Olive Wood Oyster Cabinet

This is a rare Charles II olive wood oyster cabinet of lovely colour standing on well drawn tapering gun barrel legs and shaped ogee stretcher. Adorned with striking oyster veneers laid in geometric patterns with contrasting feather banding to the borders. The Cabinet opens to reveal a beautiful fitted interior of golden colour centred around a fabulous door fitted with selected figured oysters surrounding a single oval piece to the centre. The eleven drawers to the interior all retaining there original gilt brass fish tail drop handles are bordered with a cross grain half round bead also in Olive, a typical feature of this early period. Behind the door are five more small drawers fitted with further original mercury Gilt handles, this time of different design having delightful hart shaped backplates and pear drops. The drawer linings are original throughout, they are made in oak and are wonderfully clean and untouched just as the day they were made. In fact quite remarkably all the brass mounts, hinges, handles, escutcheons, locks and bolts are original apart from the escutcheon to the long drawer in the base. However possibly the most incredible part of the cabinets history is the fact that the wonderfully shaped original key is still with the piece and works all three of the fine quality locks beautifully. The capping pieces and stretcher to the base are certainly original and we believe the fine proportioned tapering legs are also, on close inspection it is clear to see they have been grained to match the veneered oyster work. The bun feet are replaced. It is interesting to note that similar cabinets can be found in various books and important collections including many national trust properties. The handles, hinges, escutcheons and locks are all documented with approximate dates in Adam Bowett's excellent book: English Furniture 1660-1714 From Charles II to Queen Anne.