One was pictured and discussed in Tobias Jelinek’s British Chairs and Seats 1500 to 1700 (2009), the other in Victor Chinnery’s Oak Furniture, The British Tradition (2016).
A Charles II joined oak ‘press cupboard’, c.1660, pictured in the latter was exceptional both in terms of its pyramidal and oval boss applique decoration and small size.
It measures just 3ft 6in wide x 4ft 2in high (1.05 x 1.19m) and features a brand to a side-rail for G Taylor - probably an inventory mark from an early owner rather than a maker. The hammer price of £13,000 at Bonhams was in the middle of expectations.
Mid-16th century oak boarded bench or form – £27,000 at Bonhams.
Jelinek describes an English oak boarded bench or form, c.1550, as an object with “a rich dark colour and deep patina, which is unusual for early boarded benches, and indeed very early furniture in general”.
Measuring 6ft 1in (1.86m) wide, it shares many construction details with the classic mid-16th century five-board stools that turn up with a little more regularity. With a provenance by repute to an alms house in Taunton, it was guided at £10,000-15,000 but topped the sale at £27,000.
Impressive carvings
Carved, painted and parcel-gilt achievement of arms – £9000 at Bonhams.
The most keenly chased lot in the sale was one that every dealer would be happy to own: a carved, painted and parcel-gilt achievement of arms from c.1700.
Not only was it an imposing size at 4ft (1.2m) high, but it was in great condition with much of the dusty polychrome still intact. It had many admirers at the estimate of £1200-1800 but sold at £9000.
Henry VIII carved oak Romayne-type panel – £5500 at Bonhams.
A particularly well-carved Henry VIII oak Romayne-type panel with a high relief bust of a man in a roundel supported by a heraldic dragon or beast made £5500.
This 14 x 11in (27 x 36cm) panel is the same size and probably from the same workshop as another centred by a bearded man sold by Christie’s as part of Syd Levathan’s Longridge Collection in 2011 for £2200.
