Dating from the Henry VIII period, these substantial and heavy oak panels were almost certainly set in a large chest - one has the cut-outs where the internal till was fixed. They have a chip carved arcade within which is blind tracery, double rose and other typical Gothic designs. Almost certainly English and possibly Somerset - see the countersunk blind arcading on a pew end in Quantoxhead Church as illustrated fig. 206 in The Rural Benchends of Somerset by Peter Wright. It is interesting to note that the blind tracery designs appear to have scratchwork crosses on them which may suggest that it was a church chest. The panels have excellent untouched colour and measure 20 inches x 8 1/4 inches and are an inch thick.

Ref: 10972

Price: POA