court cupboard

American  

noun

English Furniture.

1. a sideboard of the 16th and 17th centuries, having three open tiers, the middle of which sometimes has a small closed cabinet with oblique sides.

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court cupboard British  

noun

1. a wooden stand with two or three tiers, used in the 16th and 17th centuries to display pewter, silver, etc

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Etymology

Origin of court cupboard

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

There are luxurious furnishings from the plantation period, including a Japanned cabinet from Europe and one of the oldest known pieces of Virginia-made furniture — a magnificent court cupboard.

From Washington Post • Dec. 18, 2018

At the upper end of the hall is a court cupboard or buffet for the display of the Company's plate, and at the lower end, on either side of the doorway, is a similar recess.

From Old and New London Volume I by Thornbury, Walter

The word court cupboard is found from the years 1647 to 1704.

From Customs and Fashions in Old New England by Earle, Alice Morse

The derivation of the names is a bit obscure, but the court cupboard probably comes from the French court, short.

From Furnishing the Home of Good Taste A Brief Sketch of the Period Styles in Interior Decoration with Suggestions as to Their Employment in the Homes of Today by Throop, Lucy Abbot

Dr. Lyon gives these names of cupboards found in New England: Cupboard, small cupboard, great cupboard, court cupboard, livery cupboard, side cupboard, hanging cupboard, sideboard cupboard, and cupboard with drawers.

From Customs and Fashions in Old New England by Earle, Alice Morse