| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved oak |
| Brief description | English, 1290-1320, carved oak |
| Physical description | Portion of arcading. English, 14th century.
Of oak, composed of two arches with foliage and having a grotesque mask in the apex of each; within, in the sprandels, are two roundels, each containing a seated figure in relief holding a scroll; one which faces and is apparently disputing or discussing with the other, probably represents a prophet and the other an apostle.
Similar figures, arranged in this manner in pair and typifying the Old and New Dispensations occur at Lincoln Cathedral. |
| Dimensions | - Height: 36.8cm
(Note: From Tracy)
- Width: 155cm
|
| Credit line | Gift of Mr. Murray Adams-Acton and Mr Frank Surgey through Art Fund |
| Object history | Given by Mr. Murray Adams-Acton on behalf of Acton Surgey Ltd., 1 Amberley Road, Paddington, London
'Arcading of carved tracery with circular panels containing saints'
(RF: 28/164) |
| Bibliographic references | - Charles Tracy, English Medieval Furniture and Woodwork (London, 1988), cat. no. 93.
'UPPER PART of an ARCADING, possibly from a stall backing; composed of two arches carved with foliage and having a grotesque mask in the apex of each. Between, in the spandrels, are two roundels, each containing a seated figure in relief holding a scroll. One, which faces, and is apparently disputing or discussing with the other, probably represents a prophet, and the other an apostle; the prophet being represented wearing shoes and the apostle without them. The back of the arcading is completely undecorated, the whole being carved out of a solid piece of wood 8.9 cm thick. The top moulding is flat also with mortises (PL. 36).
Probably from the Fens
Given by Mr Murray Adams-Acton, through the National Art-Collections Fund
Oak. About 1290-1320
36.8 X 155 cm
Mus. No. W.3-1928
This fragment was probably part of the backing of a set of choir-stalls, the lack of decoration on the back implying that it must have been placed against a wall. The use of such figures in the spandrels suggests a location of some importance within the church and the choir-stalls seem to be the most plausible possibility. Medallions in the arcade spandrels and masks at the apex of the arches are rather unusual motifs in fourteenth-century Woodwork, although cusped oculi are plentiful at Winchester Cathedral. There must have been animals infesting the cusps of the arches, judging from the residual feet still clinging to the mouldings.
The foliage in the mouldings is typical of the humpy early Decorated type as exemplified on the choir-stalls at Winchester (1308-10) and Chichester (c.1315) cathedrals. Two particular species are exhibited - ivy and oak. The third is a conventional trefoil. In the case of the ivy the leaves are placed fronts and backs side by side in the manner typical of this period. The drawing of the figures is similar to that in the Peterborough Psalter in Brussels (Bib.Roy.MS.9961-62) considered by one writer to be of the second decade of the fourteenth century (L.F. Sandler, The Peterborough Psalter in Brussels and other Fenland Manuscripts, London, 1974. p.108-11) but by others (See A. Bennett, Review of Sandler (1974) in Art Bulletin, LXIV, No.3, September 1982, p.508) of the late thirteenth century, particularly the handling of the drapery, the head types, and the use of the long-sleeved undergarment. The hat worn by the prophet with its rounded brim and top-knot can be matched exactly. The head type and hat of the Jewish elder can also be matched closely on the Jesse Cope in the V & A (175-1889) (FIG.25). This embroidery was made sometime between 1295 and 1315 (Donald King. Opus Anglicanum. English Medieval Embroidery,Arts Council Exhibition Catalogue, London, 1963. p.21). The rather elongated faces placed at an angle with long noses and slanting eyes are comparable in both works. The placing of robed figures holding scrolls in pairs as if in conversation is reminiscent of the treatment of the ancestors of Christ in Tree of Jesse representations. The early fourteenth-century section of the De Lisle Psalter (BL. Arundel 83) provides a relevant example on folio 14.'
- Fred Roe, ‘Medieval Woodwork from South Kensington’, Connoisseur, LXXXI, May 1928, pp.61-2
'Following close upon the aforementioned piece in point of interest is a fragment of oak carving dating from the fourteenth century, and dispIaying the remnants of a carved arcade and two complete roundels enclosing seated figures (probably a prophet and an apostle) discussing or disputing. These are held to typify the Old and the New Dispensation, the prophet wearing shoes and the apostle without them. Some comparisons are suggested in this case with similar subjects at Lincoln. No trace now remains of the texts which doubtless were painted on the scrolls. This carving appears to have formed part of a parclose screen, and, save for its mutilation, is in a wonderful state of preservation, the cutting of the wood being sharp and clean. The execution throughout is of a very high order, hut the ecclesiastical note it exhibits is in marked distinction to the purely secular character of the panel previously mentioned....In conclusion, it may be noted that each and all of these items are the work of English craftsmen, no trace of foreign methods or handling being observable in them, and the Museum is to be congratulated on their presentation.'
- VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM REVIEW OF THE PRINCIPAL ACQUISITIONS DURING THE YEAR 1928, ILLUSTRATED (LONDON: PUBLISHED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, 1929), p.80
In the course of the year the collection of English furniture and woodwork received some notable additions which greatly enhanced its representative character: among them being several gifts of outstanding importance….
GOTHIC WOODWORK. Fragments of mediaeval carving in oak, presented by Mr. Murray Adams-Acton, F.S.A., through the National Art-Collections Fund, included two specimens of exceptional quality (Plate 45 and Fig. 34)…The second fragment, dating from the 14th century, is from a carved arcade, and consists of two roundels enclosing seated figures holding scrolls, probably representing a prophet and an apostle. This arrangement of types and anti-types in pairs, typifying the Old and New Dispensations, is very characteristic of mediaeval iconography, being found in stained glass, sculpture, and woodwork.
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