A James I carved oak Royal Coat of Arms early 17th century

carved in high relief with strapwork scrolls within a conforming moulded strapwork decorated frame, now lacking the crown above the arms

The Clive Sherwood Collection, Sotheby's Olympia, 22nd May 2002, lot 282.

The carving is of good quality. The rectangular back of the main panel has age cracks throughout. The finial on the crown appears to be replaced and is chipped.The horn of the unicorn is also probably a replacement. The right hand ear of the unicorn is chipped. All the legs of both animals have age cracks and one back leg of the unicorn is a replacement. There are minor chips and scratches throughout consistent with age. Good colour. A rare, early example of heraldic carving. For further information on this Lot, please contact the English Furniture Department on 00 44 (0) 207 293-5470.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Armorial panels of this type were typically incorporated in overmantels to chimneypieces or to the headboards of tester beds. A comparable related example survives in the Old Dining Room at Sizergh Castle, illustrated in Thomas Woodcock and John Martin Robinson, Heraldry in National Trust Houses, National Trust, 2000. Further similar panels include another dated 1606, from the Palace at Bromley-by-Bow is illustrated in Cescinsky and Gribble, Early English Furniture and Woodwork, 1923, fig. 327 and overmantels at Haughton Court and Hunwick Hall, County Durham, both circa 1630, illustrated in Anthony Wells Cole, Art and Decoration in Elizabethan and Jacobean England, Yale 1997, pp. 188-191, figs. 309 & 318.

In 1603 King James VI of Scotland was simultaneously crowned James I of England.  As the Scottish monarch, his arms were two silver unicorns with golden horns, manes, beards, tufts and hooves. In his capacity as England's sovereign, James maintained the English lion supporter emblem but substituted the red dragon, used by Tudor monarchs prior to 1603, with a Scottish unicorn. Since the accession of James I to the English throne,  the Royal coat of arms became quartered to allow for the union with Scotland and have continued in this form together with the same supporters, to the present day. 

A similar James I coat of arms, removed from Kennaway's, Palace Gate, Exeter, sold Sotheby's London 13 November 1975, lot 83.