Early 16th Century English Panelling

A section of early 16th century English panelling.

A very rare and important section of early Tudor panelling comprising fifteen panels each decorated individually, seven with parchemin designs and eight with St Andrew's crosses. In addition to the traditional trailing vine and oak leaf designs, virtually all the panels are decorated with strange creatures and human heads.

The beasts range from scorpions and birds to dogs and hyenas and in one case a creature is shown attacking another. The human heads include an imp very similar to the famous Lincoln imp. The designs were probably taken from woodcuts such as those illustrated in Konrad Gesner's "Curious Woodcuts of Fanciful and Real Beasts."

Three single early 16th century oak panels with parchemin designs were sold as part of the Adler Collection by Sotheby's in 2005 when they fetched £3600. At some point but not originally it was used as a door. The panelling has a lovely natural grey colour and has never been varnished or stained.

This section of panelling is 37 inches wide and 76 inches high.

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

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