A late 17th century stumpwork and needlepoint box
The hinged lid with a central circular panel depicting the Virgin and child, with possibly John the Baptist and another child, The corners decorated with a deer, birds and a leopard enclosing a fitted interior above a pair of panelled doors decorated with allegorical figures of Faith and Hope enclosing three short drawers above a long drawer, the sides decorated with biblical scenes, all framed with applied silver thread ribbon on later short claw feet, together with a later glass case, 28cm wide x 22cm deep x 20cm high, (11in wide x 8 1/2in deep x 7 1/2in high)
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Stumpwork was a popular activity in the 17th century, and was part of a wealthy girl's education, which started with modest samplers from a very early age building up to stumpwork, which required the most skill. Once their skills had been perfected, it was commonplace to create a stumpwork casket such as the above lot, which could take many months or even years to complete. Subjects would often reflect religious or Royal themes and it was not uncommon for members of the family to feature in the depicted scenes and perhaps flanking the Virgin and child as seen here, could be the young creator and her sibling? A comparable casket which once formed part of the Drakard needlework collection was sold at Bonhams, Knowle, Costumes, Embroideries, Textiles and Lace Sale, 30 November 2009.