Furniture - Carvings

Panel Depicting Justice

French, c.1540

As clear an example of medieval women's dress as you'll find anywhere. Justice holds the scales modestly low against her body, and above her is a very early shell -- a motif that became standard in the baroque era a century or so later. Don't you love her? We do.

$780

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yg134

Fragment of Carved Rail

English, c.1530

Short section of a rail, pierced and carved with running motif of artichokes. Possibly from a bed rail -- artichokes were aphrodisiacs! In 1576, Dr. Bartolomeo Boldo wrote, “It has the virtue of . . . Provoking Venus for both men and women; for women making them more desirable, and helping the men who are in these matters rather tardy.” We know that Henry VIII grew them. Waxed English surface with dark honey color, perfect for wherever you want to hang it!

$295

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yf151

Romayne Panel of a Lady

Franco-Flemish, c.1550

We don't often find Romaynes as good as this: the lady is facing us (rare) and she is deeply carved, almost in the round (also rare). Her face is realistic, and look how cute (and realistic) the putto is! Above her is a curly sea monster, and the whole panel is an excellent product of the northern European renaissance.

$385

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ye841

Pair of Romayne Portrait Panels

English, c.1550

A life-like pair of profile portraits (doesn't she look haughty!) probably husband and wife. Set in victory wreaths and with Renaissance "grotesque" motifs top and bottom (her lower one echoes his upper one, but simplified -- she was only the wife!) Probably from a paneled wall or screen.

$975

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yc105