Height 95 cm
Width 66 cm
Depth 34.5 cm
This early 19th Century Welsh food cupboard has everything we like about vernacular furniture and is full of evidence of its earlier lives. Perhaps most interesting is the apotropaic marks on the inside of the door and on the outer door frame. Apotropaic, or witches marks were carved into buildings and objects to ward off witches and evil spirits, and bring luck to the owners. The most common witches marks are the hexafoil, or daisy wheel (designed to trap spirits into an infinite loop from which they cannot escape) and overlapping V’s which stand for the Virgin Mary (Virgin of Virgins). This cupboard has both symbols carved into it. Several generations later someone has carved the surname ‘Hughes’ into the door. Later still are the remnants of old Aberystwyth newspaper that once lined the shelves. The cupboard is covered in many layers of different coloured paint which span across many generations of use and now create a stunning paint finish.
This is an extraordinary piece of Welsh vernacular history and provides a fascinating insight into the beliefs and rituals of an earlier time. In great solid useable condition.
Height 95 cm
Width 66 cm
Depth 34.5 cm
This early 19th Century Welsh food cupboard has everything we like about vernacular furniture and is full of evidence of its earlier lives. Perhaps most interesting is the apotropaic marks on the inside of the door and on the outer door frame. Apotropaic, or witches marks were carved into buildings and objects to ward off witches and evil spirits, and bring luck to the owners. The most common witches marks are the hexafoil, or daisy wheel (designed to trap spirits into an infinite loop from which they cannot escape) and overlapping V’s which stand for the Virgin Mary (Virgin of Virgins). This cupboard has both symbols carved into it. Several generations later someone has carved the surname ‘Hughes’ into the door. Later still are the remnants of old Aberystwyth newspaper that once lined the shelves. The cupboard is covered in many layers of different coloured paint which span across many generations of use and now create a stunning paint finish.
This is an extraordinary piece of Welsh vernacular history and provides a fascinating insight into the beliefs and rituals of an earlier time. In great solid useable condition.
Image 1 of 15
Image 2 of 15
Image 3 of 15
Image 4 of 15
Image 5 of 15
Image 6 of 15
Image 7 of 15
Image 8 of 15
Image 9 of 15
Image 10 of 15
Image 11 of 15
Image 12 of 15
Image 13 of 15
Image 14 of 15
Image 15 of 15
