Lot Essay
Trenchers were used throughout the reigns of Elizabeth I, James I and Charles I. They were generally in beech or sycamore and circular in shape, however other materials and forms are known. The roundels were placed before guests after the main course, and the more robust wood trenchers had been removed. The reverse side was used for cheese and confettes, they were then overturned and the ditties appearing thereon were either recited or sung to the accompaniment of a lute.
A set was sold in these rooms, property from the collection of John Fardon Esq, Wednesday 13 November 1991, lot 35. Also from the collection of W.J. Shepherd, Sotheby's, London, 30 November 1983, lot 770.
COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
Edward H. Pinto, Treen and Other Wooden Bygones, Bell and Hyman, London, 1969. Pages 79-81. Owen Evan-Thomas, Domestic Utensils of Wood, Stobart Davies Ltd, Hertford 1973. Page 66, a similar set illustrated plate 25.
A set was sold in these rooms, property from the collection of John Fardon Esq, Wednesday 13 November 1991, lot 35. Also from the collection of W.J. Shepherd, Sotheby's, London, 30 November 1983, lot 770.
COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
Edward H. Pinto, Treen and Other Wooden Bygones, Bell and Hyman, London, 1969. Pages 79-81. Owen Evan-Thomas, Domestic Utensils of Wood, Stobart Davies Ltd, Hertford 1973. Page 66, a similar set illustrated plate 25.