Lot Essay
Few late 17th and early 18th century wall sconces featuring embroidered panels have survived.
A closely related gilt-gesso pair with floral-embroidered panel and carved with Prince-of-Wales feathers is illustrated in H. H. Mulliner, The Decorative Arts in England, London, 1923, fig. 61 where it was suggested that they were made for Fredreick Lewis, eldest son of George II, who was created Prince of Wales in 1729. These were later sold by Dorothy [Mrs. Geoffrey] Hart, Christie's, London, 30 October 1969, lot 96. Another single example in gilt-gesso with a pastoral panel is illustrated in L. Synge, Art of Embroidery, Woodbridge, 2001, p. 2312, fig. 223. Others with figural panels include: a pair in L. Synge, op. cit., fig. 222; a walnut-veneered pair sold Sotheby's, London, 16 November 1984, lot 44 (this pair depicting George II and Queen Caroline based on an engraving by I. Simon); another walnut pair in the Untermyer collection, illustrated in Y. Hackenbroch, English and Other Needlework Tapestries and Textiles in the Irwin Untermyer Collection, 1955, pl. 110; and a further single example illustrated in R. W. Symonds, English Furniture, New York, 1929, p. 136, fig. 83.
A closely related gilt-gesso pair with floral-embroidered panel and carved with Prince-of-Wales feathers is illustrated in H. H. Mulliner, The Decorative Arts in England, London, 1923, fig. 61 where it was suggested that they were made for Fredreick Lewis, eldest son of George II, who was created Prince of Wales in 1729. These were later sold by Dorothy [Mrs. Geoffrey] Hart, Christie's, London, 30 October 1969, lot 96. Another single example in gilt-gesso with a pastoral panel is illustrated in L. Synge, Art of Embroidery, Woodbridge, 2001, p. 2312, fig. 223. Others with figural panels include: a pair in L. Synge, op. cit., fig. 222; a walnut-veneered pair sold Sotheby's, London, 16 November 1984, lot 44 (this pair depicting George II and Queen Caroline based on an engraving by I. Simon); another walnut pair in the Untermyer collection, illustrated in Y. Hackenbroch, English and Other Needlework Tapestries and Textiles in the Irwin Untermyer Collection, 1955, pl. 110; and a further single example illustrated in R. W. Symonds, English Furniture, New York, 1929, p. 136, fig. 83.