A set of Dutch painted and parcel-gilt leather panels late 17th/early 18th century

comprising one hundred and thirty four panels, each panel part of a larger display, depicting cherubs, scrolls, vines, fantastical birds, dragons and stylised leaf and flower decoration; painting refreshed

Removed from the dining room at Stromberg's, Manor House in Smaland, Sweden
Purchased Sotheby's, London, Haute Epoque, 29th October 2003, lot 235.

Some of the panels have been regilt and re-painted. They were hanging in the house on three walls with the sun in the morning in the east shining on the panels so that they are more worn more than those on the west side so there is a variation in the colour between some of the panels. The edge of each panel has tiny holes where they were affixed to the walls and there are also areas of wear. There are 66 large panels and rest are various sizes as they are fragments. In worn condition.
"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."

Gilt leather panels, originating from Hispano-Moresque culture, were very popular in Europe from the beginning of the 17th century to the middle of the 18th century. Used both as wall hangings and to replace textiles on seat furniture, the production in this period was mainly centred in Flanders and Holland, even though they were usually referred to as `Spanish leather'.
The most widely used technique consists of wet-pressing calf skin panels in moulds resulting in a design in relief. Before the 17th century, mainly `punch' techniques were used, a technique which continued to be employed later on to carry out supplementary decorative patterns and details. The created surface was subsequently covered mostly with silver leaf, as gold leaf was very expensive. Other areas (mainly the backgrounds) were filled in with glazes and other tempera paints, after which the whole panel was finally treated with a tinted varnish to give the illusion of gold and to further protect their delicate nature.
During the 17th century, gilt leather panels and tapestries often commanded about the same purchase price per square metre. Now vastly underrated, they remain part of the testimony of the 17th century taste for luxury goods and interior decoration.
The present panels from the Strömberg collection, were probably ordered at the end of the 17th century. The archives of other contemporary collectors such as Carl Gustav Wrangel and Magnus Gabriel de la Gardie, indicate that many Swedish families placed orders during this time in the Netherlands, more in particular with the Amsterdam agent Peter Trotzig.
The design of the present panels relates closely to those at Skokloster Palace, which is Carl Gustav Wrangel's 17th century palace on the banks of Lake Mälar. There is also a screen made out of gilt-leather panels, now at the Swedish Embassy in Helsinki, with an identical design to the present set. These two comparable examples, however, are painted in varnished silver (imitating gold) and green. Some panels of the present set show traces of this green paint underneath the burgundy red ground.