Art Institute of Chicago

Court Cupboard

England

Date

c. 1660

Medium

Oak and iron

Culture

England

Department

Applied Arts of Europe

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

From the medieval period to the seventeenth century, prosperous households used short, tiered cupboards or sideboards of this kind for the display of silver, ceramics, brass, or pewter. The name comes from the French word for court —meaning small—and was likely used to distinguish this kind of object from larger cupboards used to store linens and other household goods. Most court cupboards used principles of classical architecture—particularly columns—to organize the tiers. This one is more unusual with its additional play of ornament and polygonal base and shelves that break forward with several drawers hidden in the moldings.

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