An important pair of English carved oak portrait panels 15th/16th century

later set as a group within a carved oak frame which includes three 16th century carved oak linenfold panels, the upper panels depicting a man and a woman in contemporary court dress, each three quarter length figure within an arched architectural recess surmounting a crenellated balcony supported by corbels, the man facing to the right and holding a mace, the woman to the left, with ornate head dress and her hand resting on the balcony edge, both panels with incised cruciform motifs

An extremely rare pair of portrait panels generally very good considering their great age. There is evidence from their previous installation. The female portrait with repair to nose. The male portrait has a gouge on the plain area above the head. Repair to nose and possible loss to the tip of the mace. The central parchemin panel with very minor old losses and slight chipping. The lower multiform linen fold panels with slight old chipping and each cut with loss at the base. The frame with partial split on upper right stile. The reverse of frame with old fragmenting. An extraordinary group.
"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."

These panels are remarkable in that they appear to be an actual representation of a couple rather than the more usual stylised 'Romayne' type of image - inspired through engravings. Victor Chinnery, Oak Furniture, The British Tradition, Woodbridge, 1979, p. 424, fig, 4:24 illustrates an image of husband and wife from the first part of the 16th century (although these appear to be more stylised than the offered lot) he also illustrates and another rare and perhaps more realistic portrait panel depicting Edward VI (1547-1553) dated to circa 1550. The couple that are carved must have been of some status, the fine clothes they wear and the staff or mace that the male figure carries supports this.