Arched Panel thumbnail 1
Arched Panel thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Arched Panel

1500-1599 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This wide panel may originally have formed part of a chimneypiece. It is one of several hundred carvings given to the Museum in 1921 by Sir Charles Allom and his wife, in memory of their son, who died in the First World War. From 1893 Sir Charles headed White Allom & Co., one of the most successful firms of architectural decorators in Britain, specializing in the copying of historic styles. Between 1900 and 1914 he also began to work for clients in the United States and after the First World War he spent time in both countries. The collection of carvings seems to have been put together as a study collection for his son, perhaps in the expectation that he would follow in his father's footsteps and take over the firm.



Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Carved oak
Brief description
Arched panel of oak, possibly from a chimneypiece, carved with scrolling foliage ending in grotesque heads at either side, and in the centre with long-necked birds holding serpents in their beaks and flanking a winged, naked female figure. On the scrolls to either side of the birds sit naked, but helmeted, men, holding out banderoles towards the serpents. Flemish, 1500-1600
Physical description
Arched panel of oak, possibly from a chimneypiece, carved with scrolling foliage ending in grotesque heads at either side, and in the centre with long-necked birds holding serpents in their beaks and flanking a winged, naked female figure. On the scrolls to either side of the birds sit naked, but helmeted, men, holding out banderoles towards the serpents. A groove has been cut along the top edge.
Dimensions
  • Height: 42.25in
  • Width: 95in
HWD:63.5x230x15cm (from file). Dimensions above taken from departmental file. Not checked on object
Style
Credit line
Given by Sir Charles and Lady Allom in memory of their son, Lieutenant Cedric Allom RFA
Object history
RF 21/8276
Historical context
Comparable woodwork:
V&A Beckingham Hall panelling, W.33-1912
Summary
This wide panel may originally have formed part of a chimneypiece. It is one of several hundred carvings given to the Museum in 1921 by Sir Charles Allom and his wife, in memory of their son, who died in the First World War. From 1893 Sir Charles headed White Allom & Co., one of the most successful firms of architectural decorators in Britain, specializing in the copying of historic styles. Between 1900 and 1914 he also began to work for clients in the United States and after the First World War he spent time in both countries. The collection of carvings seems to have been put together as a study collection for his son, perhaps in the expectation that he would follow in his father's footsteps and take over the firm.

Collection
Accession number
W.373-1921

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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