Lot 103
  • 103

A large Charles I oak overmantel, circa 1627

Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
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Description

  • Oak
  • 237cm. high, 178cm. wide; 7ft. 9½in., 5ft. 10¼in.
the central panel with an inlaid pastoral scene inscribed Labor1627Ora

Provenance

Sotheby’s, London, The Age of oak and Walnut, 13 September 2006, lot 98

Condition

Overall in reasonable restored condition. The fire place was once a fitting for a larger panelled room and subsequently has the hall marks of its removal to the sides. The surface has been re-polished and has general old marks and scratches throughout commensurate with age and use. A small central section to the mantel has been replaced with a later fillet. There are age cracks notably on the pilaster columns. The left pilaster has a loss to the base which is present and will need re-fixing. There are replaced elements to the corbels of the frieze at the top.
"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."

Catalogue Note

The finely inlaid central panel with the motto 'Labor' and 'Ora' or work and pray has an appropriate moral tone for the period in which this lot was created. The scene below these words depicting the sun in splendour and a bountifully laden tree would seem to imply that through work and prayer man, in this case a fox, will benefit from nature's munificence.

This piece has been conceived with a sense of the architectural 'laws' written about by Andrea Palladio (1508-1580) and widely disseminated across Europe through the publication of his four books on architecture (1570).  The influence and re-examination of classical architecture at the time is evidenced in this lot through the use of the classical orders in a specific sequence. In the lower section, the fire surround, there are bold fluted Ionic pilasters. In the upper section, the overmantel, there are fluted Composite pilasters.