The drawing dates from the late 1870s or early 1880s and has been variously described as a design for a frame, a menu, or a certificate. None of these, however, is entirely convincing in view of the mysterious image in the centre. When this is identified the purpose of the drawing will no doubt become clear.
Stephen Jones, to whom we are grateful for help in preparing this entry, has drawn attention to a comparable study at Leighton House, no.656.