One of the earliest "Jacobean" types will be found in Fig. 5, Plate III.; and in studying the class to which it belongs it will be advisable first to note in what essential particulars its constituents differ from those of its predecessors. I have suggested that the earlier type - the "Court Cupboard" - has somewhat the appearance of two separate and distinct articles - the table and the chest or cupboard - which were brought together and employed as a clever makeshift, so to say, in order to serve a particular purpose for which they were not primarily intended, thereby indicating the early origin of their joint use. The "Bread-and-Cheese" cupboard, on the other hand, is in all respects a more complete and coherent piece of "carcase work," and is characterised throughout by a greater degree of homogeneity. On examining the accompanying types it will be remarked that the former, with exceptions so rare as to be practically non-existent, is always quite open at the lower part (see Fig. 4, Plate II., and Fig. 4, Plate III., "Elizabethan"). It is supported in the same manner as were the tables of the period, by sturdy turned legs, more or less decorated; while the lower part of the "Bread-and-Cheese" cupboard is invariably closed in - is, indeed, actually a cupboard - almost to the floor, from which it is raised, generally some six or nine inches, by spheres (see Fig. 5, Plate III.), "cushions" (see Fig. 4, Plate II.), or sometimes simple blocks, of wood, or else by extensions of the end framing (see Fig. 2, Plate III., "Elizabethan"). This last arrangement was more generally adopted in cupboards of the cheaper class.

The form represented by Fig. 5, Plate III., in which the upper cupboards stand back some nine or twelve inches from the line of the front, and are surmounted by a top or "canopy" supported at the front corners by turned pillars, is a very common and typical one; indeed, as will be apparent, nearly all the others are merely variations of it. The upper part of Fig. 3, Plate III., "Elizabethan," bears a closer resemblance to that of the " Court Cupboard," but the rest of the structure distinguishes it as belonging to a period later than that in which the "Court" form predominated. Of the date of the carving in the three upper panels I have my doubts; it seems to be almost too delicate and refined for the period, but the piece itself is genuine enough. It is, unfortunately, a very common thing for old chests and cupboards of this period, which in the first place were almost, if not wholly, devoid of ornamentation of any kind, to have been "carved-up" in later years; so that oftentimes only the expert eye and fingers can discover which is really old and which is new. But "the public will have carving," says the dealer; so "the vandal gouge of the wood-butcher" is set in operation, and old pieces, whose beauty rested in their very plainness and simplicity, are hacked about so far as considerations of price will allow, and when finished are regarded as "a lot for the money." So, indeed, they are; a very bad lot!

"Jacobean." VI. Plate 13

Reference In Text

"Jacobean" "Bread-and-Cheese" Cupboard

We have discussed "Jacobean" ornamentation at such length that little remains to be said with regard to the decorative detail of these old cupboards; the carving in all of them illustrates the remarks I have already made, and which, I think, were exhaustive, with reference to that element in furniture of the Stuart age.

In the two upper panels of Fig. 4, Plate II., we have the incised cinque-foil instead of the quatre-foil - not a very serious divergence. All the details of Fig. 5, Plate III., come under our classification again; we must therefore proceed to fresh ground.

Returning for a moment to the question of construction as apart from enrichment, there are signs in the building-up or putting-together of this old carcase work which may be accepted as fairly safe guides where the question of approximate date has to be decided; and it may be laid down as a general rule that the more primitive - I do not mean "plain" - the construction the earlier the piece. This may appear to be a self-evident proposition; nevertheless, it calls for note. Facts which we may sometimes imagine to be generally recognised are very often missed altogether.

It will be seen, then, by reference to Fig. 3, Plate III., in the last chapter, that the ends are perfectly plain - that is to say, merely stout boards planed, "sanded," and waxed; but the ends of Fig. 5, Plate III., are composed of framed-up panelling - simple enough, it is true, but nevertheless marking a most important and significant advance; while in Fig. 4, Plate II., we have quite a finished piece of joinery. This may not always be regarded as a certain indication of date, for the first type of end was sometimes adopted in later years to save expense in construction; but, in conjunction with other signs, it often aids us very materially in arriving at a decision.

We must note, still further, that the more skilful the cabinet maker became in the exercise of his own particular branch of craft - the branch that was occupied with the making and putting-together of parts as distinct from the work of the carver and marquetry cutter, whose duty it was merely to enrich that which was already made - the less was he disposed to cover, or have covered, the surfaces of his productions with carving or other ornamentation. He preferred to let his own skilful use of the saw, plane, and moulding-iron tell its own tale without any elaboration. And a most delightful tale it often was.

"Jacobean." VII. Plate 14

Panelled Room, Formerly In Old Bow Palace Now In The Victoria And Albert Museum. South Kensington - Reference in Text. See pages 42, 44, 49, 52, 55, 64, 66