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Product Description

Carved in the round and modeled as a lion sejant erect, with flowing curly mane, bared teeth and fierce aspect, the collars of fur, the front paws resting upon a scroll-edged shield.

This is an extraordinary piece both in terms of size and the magnificent quality of the carving and it relates closely to an example at Bradninch Manor, Devonshire, constructed c. 1547 (also in oak), and two stone carvings from the tomb of Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, c. 1554. It is interesting to note that Bradninch Manor was and still is part of the Duchy of Cornwall, and is owned by the Prince of Wales.

A further example of a large armorial lion newel finial was carved for Rawdon Hose, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire (as shown in the illustration number 4 below) and all are illustrated in Margaret Jourdain, English Decoration and Furniture of the Early Renaissance (1500-1650), 1924.

At the time our finial was carved, grand open wooden staircases were just being introduced, replacing the perimeter stone edifices of the late middle ages. As joiners took over from stonemasons, permanent interior decoration became the norm in the newly constructed manors of the wealthy and noble, and finials to the newel posts became the ideal place to display armorial bearings of the nobility.

It is hard to overestimate the rarity of these early carvings. Changes in taste and style in the 18^th century and later led to the remodeling or destruction of the grand Elizabethan houses and remarkably few of these finials, particularly of this size remain either in public or private collections.

This piece can be considered a unique rarity.

English, Late 16^th century