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ID #SA1239729
FOR SALE
£5,995
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Rare Salvaged Antique 17th Century Solid Oak Inglenook Beam with Vast Collection of Apotropaic Taper Burns
For sale by Folk and Fable Antiques
for sale €7,014     $7,614
£5,995
Folk and Fable Antiques

Folk and Fable Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2026
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Rare Salvaged Antique 17th Century Solid Oak Inglenook Beam with Vast Collection of Apotropaic Taper Burns

17th century
Description

This rare 17th century solid oak inglenook beam, salvaged directly from a historic farmhouse in Herefordshire, has an exceptionally well preserved collection of apotropaic taper burns. Once forming part of an even bigger hearth bressummer beam, this beautiful piece of oak serves as a tangible reminder of how people felt vulnerable and how they went about protecting themselves during the 1600’s.

Taper burns were deliberately created scorches on the wooden beams of homes, used as a form of ritual folk magic to ward off evil spirits, witches, and protect against fire or lightning strikes.

They were strategically placed at vulnerable structural entry points, such as fireplaces, doorways, and windows, where a controlled, ritualised burn was believed to spiritually inoculate the timber framed home against fire and evil spirits.

For centuries, historians assumed these distinct, tear shaped char marks were accidents caused by unattended candles. However, modern experimental archaeology has proven that they were intentionally crafted by holding a candle or rushlight at a 45 degree angle against the wood for up to 15 minutes, often requiring multiple rounds of burning and scraping to form a deep, permanent indentation.

This is the central element of the beam, of which I also have the two end sections, one of which has a single taper burn, which I have listed on my website too. However, this central section is the show stopper. I have never seen a period piece with such a vast collection of taper burns being sold on the open market. It displays magnificently and is a beautiful, solid piece of oak in its own right.

Condition is good, commensurate with age and use. Structurally sound. Charred to the back as an inglenook beam should be.

Measures 122cm x 26cm x 22cm

Weighs 31550 grams

Physical Dimensions
Height
26cm (10.24")
Width
122cm (48.03")
Depth
22cm (8.66")
Declaration

Folk and Fable Antiques has dated this Antique Oak Inglenook Beam to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1239729
Description
This rare 17th century solid oak inglenook beam, salvaged directly from a historic farmhouse in Herefordshire, has an exceptionally well preserved collection of apotropaic taper burns. Once forming part of an even bigger hearth bressummer beam, this beautiful piece of oak serves as a tangible reminder of how people felt vulnerable and how they went about protecting themselves during the 1600’s.
“
Taper burns were deliberately created scorches on the wooden beams of homes, used as a form of ritual folk magic to ward off evil spirits, witches, and protect against fire or lightning strikes.
Folk and Fable Antiques
fig 1. A tall, hand-hewn 17th-century solid oak beam featuring multiple dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its weathered wood surface.
fig 1. Rare Salvaged Antique 17th Century Solid Oak Inglenook Beam with Vast Collection of Apotropaic Taper Burns

They were strategically placed at vulnerable structural entry points, such as fireplaces, doorways, and windows, where a controlled, ritualised burn was believed to spiritually inoculate the timber framed home against fire and evil spirits.

fig 2. A tall, hand-hewn 17th-century solid oak beam featuring multiple dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its weathered wood surface.
fig 2. Rare Salvaged Antique 17th Century Solid Oak Inglenook Beam with Vast Collection of Apotropaic Taper Burns

For centuries, historians assumed these distinct, tear shaped char marks were accidents caused by unattended candles. However, modern experimental archaeology has proven that they were intentionally crafted by holding a candle or rushlight at a 45 degree angle against the wood for up to 15 minutes, often requiring multiple rounds of burning and scraping to form a deep, permanent indentation.

fig 3. A tall, hand-hewn 17th-century solid oak beam featuring multiple dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its weathered wood surface.
fig 3. Rare Salvaged Antique 17th Century Solid Oak Inglenook Beam with Vast Collection of Apotropaic Taper Burns

This is the central element of the beam, of which I also have the two end sections, one of which has a single taper burn, which I have listed on my website too. However, this central section is the show stopper. I have never seen a period piece with such a vast collection of taper burns being sold on the open market. It displays magnificently and is a beautiful, solid piece of oak in its own right.

Condition is good, commensurate with age and use. Structurally sound. Charred to the back as an inglenook beam should be.

Measures 122cm x 26cm x 22cm

Weighs 31550 grams

Height
26cm (10.24")
Width
122cm (48.03")
Depth
22cm (8.66")
Date of Manufacture

Folk and Fable Antiques has dated this Antique Oak Inglenook Beam to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1239729
Folk and Fable Antiques
Folk and Fable Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2026

Unique pieces for collectors and curious minds

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Folk and Fable Antiques Profile Page

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A tall, hand-hewn 17th-century solid oak beam featuring multiple dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its weathered wood surface.
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Film
Film of Rare Salvaged Antique 17th Century Solid Oak Inglenook Beam with Vast Collection of Apotropaic Taper Burns
Archive I A tall, hand-hewn 17th-century solid oak beam featuring multiple dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its weathered wood surface.

Rare Salvaged Antique 17th Century Solid Oak Inglenook Beam with Vast Collection of Apotropaic Taper Burns

Film
Archive II A tall, hand-hewn 17th-century solid oak beam featuring multiple dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its weathered wood surface. View II
Archive III A tall, hand-hewn 17th-century solid oak beam featuring multiple dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its weathered wood surface. View III
Archive IV A tall, hand-hewn 17th-century solid oak beam featuring multiple dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its weathered wood surface. View IV
Archive V A tall, hand-hewn 17th-century solid oak beam featuring multiple dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its weathered wood surface. View V
Archive VI A tall, hand-hewn 17th-century solid oak beam featuring multiple dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its weathered wood surface. View VI
Archive VII A tall, hand-hewn 17th-century solid oak beam featuring multiple dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its weathered wood surface. View VII
Archive VIII A tall, hand-hewn 17th-century solid oak beam featuring multiple dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its weathered wood surface. View VIII
Archive IX A tall, hand-hewn 17th-century solid oak beam featuring multiple dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its weathered wood surface. View IX
Archive X A tall, hand-hewn 17th-century solid oak beam featuring multiple dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its weathered wood surface. View X
Archive XI A tall, hand-hewn 17th-century solid oak beam featuring multiple dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its weathered wood surface. View XI
Archive XII A tall, hand-hewn 17th-century solid oak beam featuring multiple dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its weathered wood surface. View XII
Archive XIII A tall, hand-hewn 17th-century solid oak beam featuring multiple dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its weathered wood surface. View XIII
Archive XIV A tall, hand-hewn 17th-century solid oak beam featuring multiple dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its weathered wood surface. View XIV
Archive XV A tall, hand-hewn 17th-century solid oak beam featuring multiple dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its weathered wood surface. View XV
Enlarged Archival View
Folk and Fable Antiques

Folk and Fable Antiques
Telephone 07788 216610
Location
North Devon
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/folkandfable
Verified Since Oct 2026
Items For Sale 45
Folk and Fable Antiques
Folk and Fable Antiques
Verified Since Oct 2026
View Dealer Info
Location: North Devon, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/folkandfable
Verified
Oct 2026
For Sale
45
A tall, hand-hewn 17th-century solid oak beam featuring multiple dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its weathered wood surface.
Rare Salvaged Antique 17th Century Solid Oak Inglenook Beam With Vast Collection Of Apotropaic Taper Burns
Ref: SA1239729
A tall, hand-hewn 17th-century solid oak beam featuring multiple dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its weathered wood surface.
Film of Rare Salvaged Antique 17th Century Solid Oak Inglenook Beam with Vast Collection of Apotropaic Taper Burns
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectArchitectural Salvage
  • Period17th century
  • Style17th Century Vernacular
  • MaterialOak
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsApotropaic taper burns, Hand-hewn adze marks, Wooden peg holes, Natural grain splits
  • SizeH 26 cm (10 in) x W 122 cm (48 in) x D 22 cm (9 in)

This seventeenth-century architectural salvage is a solid oak inglenook beam finished in a warm brown colour with a hand-hewn adze texture. The weathered timber exhibits natural grain splits, wooden peg holes, and a vast collection of dark apotropaic taper burn marks along its surface, alongside charring on the reverse. Salvaged from a historic farmhouse in Herefordshire, the vernacular piece served as a ritual folk magic protection against fire and evil spirits. Measuring 122 cm wide by 26 cm high and 22 cm deep, the structurally sound timber displays condition commensurate with its age and use. The substantial weight of 31,550 grams requires appropriate placement for display as a historic artefact within an interior setting.

FAQs

An inglenook beam, also known as a bressumer, is a heavy timber lintel spanning the top of a wide fireplace hearth. Apotropaic taper burn marks are tear-drop shaped scorched scars intentionally created with candle flames, historically applied as ritual folk protection to safeguard the home against evil spirits and fire.

Seventeenth-century beams were primarily crafted from solid native hardwoods, predominantly English oak. They were shaped by hand using adzes and broadaxes, often featuring mortise joints fastened with hand-carved wooden trunnels or pegs.

Authentic timbers display distinctive signs of hand-tooling, such as uneven adze marks and hand-squared edges. They feature deep, natural age-related shrinkage cracks following the grain, oxidation around iron fittings, historical peg holes, and a rich, dark patina developed over centuries of exposure to smoke and air.

A salvaged timber can be installed as a structural or decorative fireplace mantelpiece, serving as a grounding focal point in living spaces. It can also be repurposed as a floating display shelf or mounted vertically as a sculptural architectural feature within a contemporary or traditional scheme.

Maintain the timber by keeping it in a dry, stable environment. Clean the surface using a soft brush or vacuum with a soft head attachment to remove dust from crevices, and apply a clear beeswax polish sparingly to nourish the wood and preserve its historic patina.
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