An unusual piece of Regency ecclesiastical oak furniture

At first glance from a distance this item looked suspiciously like a Victorian cabinet for a microscope when I first saw it, but the brass plaque on the top of it gave an indication of what it was. The plaque reads, ‘CHURCH Cockayne Hatley 1821’

Cockayne Hatley is a village now in the parish of Wrestlingworth and Cockayne Hatley, in Bedfordshire. The population in 2007 was approximately 75 with 33 houses. This item no doubt came from the village church of St. John the Baptist. The porch of this Church  was removed around 1823 when the south aisle was rebuilt (amongst other major restorations and renovations to the church). It is possible that this box was removed from the Church around this time. Strangely, a Welsh Bible dating to 1872 occupies one of the compartments. I suspect that originally the compartments housed a Bible and the Book of Common Prayer or a Biblical Commentary  

In detail we have the following:

• Of rectangular form constructed from quarter sawn oak with very fine formation dovetails 

• The craftsman who constructed this item went to the trouble of applying cross-banded oak to the the top and bottom of the door - the top of the door is shown in one of the photographs

• Above and below the brass plaque are iron fittings – presumably for a handle enabling this cabinet to be moved

• The brass lock is present. The key is not original to the cabinet

• The key acts as the door handle, allowing the door to be opened and closed. The tassle, as with the key, is not original to the piece 

• Brass escutcheon 

• All the interior surfaces were once lined with dark blue/violet felt (the remains of this felt is still visible) 

• The interior is divided into two unequally sized compartments, one being 13.25cms wide, the other being 7.5cms wide. The height of each compartment is 45cms

• The front of the door exhibits a number of precisely located small holes suggesting the presence at some time of another plaque (of rectangular form)

• Condition: Solid and heavy being constructed from oak. This cabinet weighs 6.85Kgs unpackaged

• Both brass door hinges are present and secure but the top hinge is worn. One of the countersunk brass screws is missing from one of the hinges but the door will not fall off 

• The felt of the interior is worn (badly in places) no doubt due the contents of the cabinet being frequently removed and replaced

Some minor damage to the cabinet commensurate with age and use

This would make an unusual drinks cabinet. The right- hand compartment is wide and long enough to house 3 bottles of drink.The left-hand compartment could house glasses and it would be a straightforward job to construct another shelf for additional glasses if required

Collection of this item from Buntingford (East Herts. SG9) preferred, but I will post if required to mainland UK. Delivery will be via UPS at a cost of £20

Please see my other items which are predominantly 18th and 19th century in date