CIRCA 1673, PROBABLY BY NICHOLAS NEEDHAM

Details

A PAIR OF CHARLES II ELM NEWEL POSTS
CIRCA 1673, PROBABLY BY NICHOLAS NEEDHAM
Each in the form of a wyvern supporting foliated carved cartouche shaped shields, originally painted
22 in. (56 cm.) high (2)

Literature

The Hon Mrs Mary Wombwell and Sarah Myddelton's watercolours of1862, show newel post carvings of this model illustrated on the chimneyp iece. National Trust Chirk Castle Guide Book, 1983, p.33 and 2003, p.20 - examples from the set illustrated in situ in the Servant's Hall.

Special notice

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Lot Essay

These heraldic beasts for newel posts almost certainly formed part of Sir Thomas Myddelton's (d.1684) 17th Century wooden staircase at Chirk, which was swept away in 1777-8 under the Classicisation of Turner of Chester. Panelled with geometrical fretwork or 'old Chinese work' as the housekeeper described it to Lord Torrington in 1784, its design must have resembled the great staircases at Blickling and Knole. The newel posts were surmounted by a set of twenty-four figures and beasts, including Turks and blackamoors, carved out of elm by Nicholas Needham in 1673. Needham charged 1 15s 0d for 'makeinge the Turke and blackeymore figures for the staire case' - some of which were then painted - Thomas Francis charging 1 4s 0d in 1675 for 'colorreinge the 24 figures that are placed onn the greate staires'. The lion and unicorn heraldic beasts, as well as the Turk and Blackamoor are on public display in the Servant's Hall.

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