An English embroidered and metal-thread Old Testament pictorial and portrait panel, possibly late 16th century

Property from an English Private Collection

An English embroidered and metal-thread Old Testament pictorial and portrait panel, possibly late 16th century

worked in polychrome silks and metal threads, with relief elements, against a satin ground, with an elaborate architectural frame pattern design, the central rectangular panel worked with scene of Bathsheba at the well, surrounded by four square frames in each corner, the top corners with a portrait of a lady (appearance of Elizabeth I) and in the opposite corner a gentleman (possibly Lord Dudley), the lower corners with allegorical or Biblical figures, of Jason carrying the golden fleece, and in the opposite corner with a lady with babe in arms, the sides centred with cartouche frames enclosing a further landscape with a well, and the other cartouche with a lady and a green parakeet, the top with swags of ribbon, vases of flowers and relief fruit, the lower edge with heavily metal thread worked design of rock work, water, dolphins and frog, within a later ebonised tortoiseshell moulded frame

Approximately, Frame: 52.5cm high, 68cm wide, 4.5cm deep; 1ft 8in, 2ft 2in, 1.7in.

Textile visible: 38cm high, 53.5cm deep; 1ft 3in, 1ft 9in.