A JAMES I / CHARLES I OAK OVERMANTEL

A JAMES I / CHARLES I OAK OVERMANTEL

GLOUCESTERSHIRE, C.1620-30

the deep frieze carved with a pair of scaly dragons, centred and flanked by a high relief carved single flowerhead in a circular surround over three arch carved panels, the central panel carved with a flower filled vase, the remaining panels with conforming plant decoration, each panel flanked by carved terms, with three lunette and nulled carved panels below

136.5cm high, 187cm wide, 17.5cm deep

Provenance
Mr & Mrs H. Beedham Collection, Hungerford.

Literature

See V. Chinnery, 'Oak Furniture -The British Tradition', p. 457.

Catalogue Note

The use of dragons was 'an ancient obsession...in the form of the crests of paired dragons which are such a consistent feature of Gloucestershire chairs'. Further regional characteristics include the carved arches, with egg anddart moulding to the lower arch edge, the stiff leaf carved pilasters, and the interlaced flower and leaf carved spandrels.