Mid 17th-century English Antique Oak Candlebox, The Front Inscribed “IPS 1643 RPE”

A mid-17th-century English antique oak candlebox of elongated form.

Nail and plank construction.

With a single hinged door with a turned wooden handle, the front carved with the initials “IPS” & “RPE” and bearing a date of “1643”. The “IPS” has been carved over an older “E”. The panel also incorporates punched decoration and carved nulling at its base. 

The left upright plank, which flanks the door, has carved lunettes to the outer surface. The other plank, to the right of the door, is of plain form. The top plank is carved with nulling. The base plank and backboard are again of plain form (the backboard is made from deal/pine).

This box was likely constructed from recycled pieces of timber during the mid-17th century.

Provenance – Found in Cornwall, England.

Condition – Please refer to the images. There is age-related surface wear. The box displays well.

Size – H 51 cm x W 17.5 cm X D 14 cm