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A SET OF TWELVE ELIZABETHAN PARCEL-GILT AND POLYCHROME-DECORATED SYCAMORE ROUNDELAYS

ENGLISH, DATED 1597

Details

A SET OF TWELVE ELIZABETHAN PARCEL-GILT AND POLYCHROME-DECORATED SYCAMORE ROUNDELAYS
ENGLISH, DATED 1597
Each inscribed extensively in black ink and decorated with fruits, flowers and and gilt borders; the case with the Royal coat-of-arms to the front and the monogram 'E R' also dated '1597'; with two paper labels to the reverse each inscribed extensively in ink
5 in. (12.8 cm.) diameter each; 6½ in. (16.5 cm.) diameter the case (12)

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Sale room notice

Whilst the box is dated 1597 it is possible that these roundelays are antiquarian dating from the 18th or early 19th century.

Lot Essay

Cheese, sweetmeats and other confections were eaten off roundelays after a meal or festive banquet. Each guest would then be required to turn their roundelay over and in turn recite the verse inscribed thereon. These short verses were often moral, satirical or religious in nature. A set of seven sycamore roundelays was sold by Huntington Antiques, Christie's, London, 17 May 1999, lot 319 and a set of twelve was offered anonymously, Christie's South Kensington, 14 November 2001, lot 227.

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
Edward H. Pinto, Treen and Other Wooden Bygones, London, 1969, pp. 79-81 (similar examples illustrated pl. 77).

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