A PAIR OF SHELDON ALLEGORICAL TAPESTRY PANELS

LATE 16TH EARLY 17TH CENTURY

Details

A PAIR OF SHELDON ALLEGORICAL TAPESTRY PANELS
Late 16th early 17th Century
Woven in wools and silks, one depicting Justitia holding scales and a sword, the other depicting Charitas with the maiden surrounded by three infants, both in an open landscape with buildings beyond, under a columned arch and with flowers to the spandrels, within a border of fruits and flowers, to the sides supported by herm figures and at the top with a hunting scene of a man and dogs chasing a stag, the first inscribed 'IVISTITIA', the other inscribed 'CHRITAS', areas of reweaving and patching, within a later burr-walnut and parcel-gilt frame
22 in. x 21 in. (58 cm. x 55 cm.) (2)

Provenance

Possibly Mr. Behar, American Art Association sale, New York, 26-30 April, 1927, lots 995 and 996.

Literature

Possibly A.J.B. Wace, Society of Antiquaries of London, vol. LXXVIII, Oxford, 1928, part II, plate XLVIII, fig. 2.

Lot Essay

The Sheldon workshop was established by William Sheldon near Barcheston in Warwickshire about 1561. It was continued under his son Ralph until at least 1611. The workshop originally consisted of two houses, one at Barcheston, later the head-quarters, under the direction of Richard Hyckes, and another at Bordesley under Thomas Chance. Francis Hickes took over the management of the workshop in 1603.

Four sets illustrating the Virtues are known. One comprising three cushions is in the Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight, a long cushion formerly with Sir William Burrell, a set of three cushions in the Royal Scottish Museum and this pair.

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