This extraordinary and historically important misericord probably dates to about 1375 and is a superb example of English medieval oak carving. It depicts Satan kneeling in subjugation and he is shown wearing a collar on which is carved the letter S for Satan. His tongue protudes from his mouth which is a common attribute of devilish figures, as is the spiny tail which appears from between his rear legs. Satan was commonly blamed for causing for the Black Death which ravaged England in the middle of the 14th century and although devastating to the population, by the time of this carving it had largely died out, hence the devil being shown in subjugation. The supporters are two different types of scallop shell, a motif often associated with Hope. The only other example of scallop shell supporters that I could find appear on a misericord of New College, Oxford which is of a similar date. The band of quatrefoil rosettes is a distinctive feature and may help to identify the workshop that carved this example. Similar motifs can be seen on misericords in Lincoln Cathedral and are likely to be the work of a master workshop with possible connections to London based workshops such as that of the royal master-carpenter Hugh Herland who also worked at New College, Oxford (see Charles Tracy "English Gothic Choir-Stalls 1200-1400") or William Newhall, the king's chief carpenter at Chester. The misericord has been slightly trimmed but is in wonderful natural condition with no replacements. It measures 19 1/2 inches wide with a height of 7 1/2 inches and a depth of 6 inches.

Ref: 10907

Price: POA