A Fine Queen Anne Period Oak Spice Cupboard

The front, formed as a single door, with a raised panel set into a morticed and tenoned frame, which retains the original lock, escutcheon and strap hinges, with "penny" ends.

The door opens to reveal a fitted interior of 9 small drawers, all with their original brass pulls, set around a central compartment which would have housed a bronze mortar to grind the spices stored in the drawers. The full-length horizontal compartment at the top would have stored the pestle for use with the mortar, and possibly pewter bowls to mix the spices.

Most interestingly are the "witches circles" scratched into the inside of the cupboard door, and the deep tadpole-shaped burn to the front of the door, which it was thought would warn off evil spirits, which could put curses on the food (it was thought the evil spirit would rest on the circle and then become confused as it followed the trail round and round, and couldn't get off).

Wonderful colour, patina and originality.

English, West Country (this is where witches circles are quite often found), circa 1710.

Width 16 inches, height 22 inches, depth 9 inches.

Ref 4508

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