Object Type
This set of 12 round wooden plates, or trenchers, in their original box, was made for special dinners, especially at New Year. The plain side would have been used for eating delicacies such as marzipan or sugar plums, before being turned over to reveal the paintings and poems. Rather like Christmas crackers today, each carries a verse to be read out and enjoyed by guests.
Subjects Depicted
Each roundel shows a character such as a soldier or a richly dressed lady, with a satirical verse about their habits. The verses, entitled The Twelve Wonders of the World, were written by John Davies, especially for trenchers at a New Year party given around 1600 by Thomas Sackville, Ist Earl of Dorset. They were published in 1608 and were then available for other trencher makers to copy. This set was probably made around 1620. Other sets show flowers, biblical texts and proverbs.
Ownership & Use
Only wealthy people could afford to use such luxury objects. The fact that they have survived means that they were carefully looked after through the generations. Surviving sets such as this one show no sign of use. The initials 'E.W.' on the box could be those of the owner or the maker.
Physical description
Twelve Circular Platters (Roundels) of beech, painted with gold and silver on black. In a box decorated on the cover with two male figures, a cock and a tree, with a building and a beacon in the background. Around is a band of guilloche ornament, on the sides leafy ornament. The roundels have each a figure in the centre surrounded by a band of guilloche ornament, outside which is an inscription.
From catalogue Box, H. 2 ½ in., D. 7 ½ in.; roundels, Diam. 5 7/8 in.
(Box, H. 6.4 cm, D. 19.1 cm; roundels, Diam. 14.9 cm)
Place of Origin
England, Great Britain (made)
Date
1600-1630 (made)
Artist/maker
unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Sycamore, with painted decoration in white and gold on black
Marks and inscriptions
Inscribed 'E W' on back of box
Dimensions
Height: 6.3 cm box, Width: 19 cm box, Width: 15 cm each roundel
Object history note
Made in England
Descriptive line
Set of roundels in a box, 'Twelve Wonders of the World'
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Twelve Circular Platters (Roundels) of beech, painted with gold and silver on black. In a box decorated on the cover with two male figures, a cock and a tree, with a building and a beacon in the background. Around is a band of guilloche ornament, on the sides leafy ornament. The roundels have each a figure in the centre surrounded by a band of guilloche ornament, outside which is an inscription. Early 17th century. From catalogue Box, H. 2 ½ in., D. 7 ½ in.; roundels, Diam. 5 7/8 in. (Box, H. 6.4 cm, D. 19.1 cm; roundels, Diam. 14.9 cm) See 'Burlington Magazine,' Vol. XXXI, p. 234, 1917; and 'Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries,' 2nd Series, Vol. XXVIII, p. 78.
From: H. Clifford Smith, Catalogue of English Furniture & Woodwork (London 1930), 633, Plate 39
Labels and date
British Galleries:
The plainer backs of these were used as plates, possibly for sweetmeats after dinner. They would then be turned over and the verses read out. The decoration is an early example of the British imitating Asian lacquer, which was a luxurious import at that time. These verses were published in 1608 after they were composed for a New Year dinner in 1600. [27/03/2003]
British Galleries online
Object Type
This set of 12 round wooden plates, or trenchers, in their original box, was made for special dinners, especially at New Year. The plain side would have been used for eating delicacies such as marzipan or sugar plums, before being turned over to reveal the paintings and poems. Rather like Christmas crackers today, each carries a verse to be read out and enjoyed by guests.
Subjects Depicted
Each roundel shows a character such as a soldier or a richly dressed lady, with a satirical verse about their habits. The verses, entitled The Twelve Wonders of the World, were written by John Davies, especially for trenchers at a New Year party given around 1600 by Thomas Sackville, Ist Earl of Dorset. They were published in 1608 and were then available for other trencher makers to copy. This set was probably made around 1620. Other sets show flowers, biblical texts and proverbs.
Ownership & Use
Only wealthy people could afford to use such luxury objects. The fact that they have survived means that they were carefully looked after through the generations. Surviving sets such as this one show no sign of use. The initials 'E.W.' on the box could be those of the owner or the maker. [1/12/2001]
Collection code
FWK
