Displaying objects from Great Hall

16th century Oak chest - Furniture - 16th c
An early 16th century Oak Chest supported by tall wide stiles carved with heraldic animals holding shields. The whole bound together with highly decorative ironwork.

Alms dish - Plate - 17th c
An early 17th century German brass Alms Dish. Purchased by the Trustees

Royal Brussels tapestry - Tapestry - 16th c
This Brussels Tapestry panel depicts a Royal personage in a chariot, with a man, woman kneeling, and paying homage before him. The border consists of fruit and flowers. It also contains a deliberate fault by the maker on the left hand side. This fault is a hand with only three fingers and was dictated by the superstition that man was always imperfect. God could only make perfect objects.

Walnut tiered Buffet - Cupboard - 15th c
A French Renaissance Walnut tiered Buffet consisting of an open base supporting cupboards and high backboard decorated with intricate Gothic tracery etc., two doors in the cupboards. It contains a carved pelican which is the symbol for Christ’s blood. It is late 15th century in origin..

Strong box - Furniture - 17th c
An early 17th century Strong Box, with domed lid and elaborate lock plate, decorated with pierced ironwork, complete with carrying handles

Statue of St. George - Statue - 15th c
A Carved statue of St. George and the Dragon, original gilt decoration and polychrome paint. South German. 15th Century.

Portrait of unknown courtier - Painting - 17th c
This full-length portrait of an unknown courtier of the court of King James I of England is dated 1622. The very size of the image, and the fact it shows the full standing figure indicates his wealth. Less wealthy patrons tended to commission smaller pieces showing their torso, or even head and shoulders only. The brushwork is quite clumsy, and the figure appears elongated, indicative of the style known as Mannerism then popular in Italy. It is characterised by capriciously elongated figures, usually in complicated poses, asymmetrical composition and harsh colour.The scene shows an interior, with the figure resting his hand on the table behind him, upon which he earlier placed his hat, perhaps indicating he has just returned from an important occasion. His other hand holds a basket handled sabre, still sheathed in an ornate hide scabbard resting on his left hip.The painting is very similar to that by Paul van Somer in the Royal Collection of Queen Elizabeth II showing King James I in his dress of state following his coronation in 1620. Both images show a full length figure in an interior, dressed in white silk doublet and hose with slash marks, and a sheathed sword over the left hip. It is possible the patron of our image was emulating that of the King, and is trying to show he attended the same event.

Woodcut of St. Hubert - Carving - 15th c
A fine Carved woodcut possibly from an Altar piece, depicting the story of the conversion of St. Hubert, who was an eighth century saint. According to legendary sources, in his early years he was given to pleasures of the flesh. This scene relays the story of his hunting expedition on Good Friday. On the left side of the woodcut, he kneels before his horse on Good Friday after the confrontation with a stag complete with a burning cross between its antlers. The right hand side of the woodcut shows his conversion to goodness and he appears as a devotional figure as the He was initially the Bishop of Maastricht. He later became the Bishop of Liege. St. Hubert is portrayed riding out from a fortified postern gate. The whole piece is in high relief and is possibly rhenish in origin. As this saint is often confused with Eustace, it is possible to date this piece to the 16th century as Hubert features in the art of Northern Europe from this century onwards and in this scene is dressed as a hunter. Eustace appears in Roman armour.

Brussels Tapestry named David and Absalom - Tapestry - 16th c
A Large Panel of Brussels Tapestry decorated in vivid colours with figures in Renaissance costume. The tapestry depicts the story of David and Absalom. It is one of a series and in this one, the messenger is going to tell the red-haired David, that his beloved son Absalom has been killed contrary to his original orders.

Settle - Furniture - 15th c
A long Wall bench or settle consisting of quantity of fine 15th century linenfold panelling forming the back, with later bench seat below. A long cushion included. These longer settles were later minimised and became settees.

Horloge - Clock - 16th c
A 16th century Iron clock, the bell supported in a framework amid crockets and finials and with pierced Gothic decoration above the dial. Clocks became extremely ornate by the sixteenth century with an emphasis on design and an increasing pre-occupation with establishing accuracy.

Clock panel - Clock - 17th c
A Clock wall bracket formed from a panel. This forms part of the ornamentation involved in the creation of a sixteenth century clock.

St.Peter and the Apostles - Painting - 15th c
The appearance in art of St Peter, the Prince of the Apostles and the first Pope, has remained constant and he is therefore easily recognisable. As here, he is represented as an old but vigorous man, with short grey curly hair, a short curly beard, and with rustic features, in this case his eyes. The artist shows him here enthroned in majesty, wearing a papal tiara and holding the keys to heaven, as described in Matthew 16:19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven”. Peter travelled to Rome where he established the first Christian community, before being crucified in 64 A.D. by Emperor Nero.

Oak sword chest - Furniture - 16th c
A late 16th/early 17th century long, low, Oak Sword Chest well carved front panel, with plain top and sides with distinctive length due to its function.

Enghien tapestry - Tapestry - 16th c
A Panel of Enghien Tapestry woven with a design of flowers and birds amongst thistle-like leaves. Three sides of the border woven with rounded heads, evocative of the romayne style of carving on Flemish furniture. Mid 16th Century

Continental Oak cupboard - Cupboard - 14th c
A three tiered Oak Hutch Cupboard/Aumbry with central door and panels decorated with Gothic tracery. The high back surmounted by Gothic finials and open pot board below. French, 15th century.

Brass Plate - Plate - 17th c
Large 17th century Brass Charger, embossed and engraved with Diana the huntress in central circular panel, hounds and birds of prey etc., around the border. Worn, with hole in border.

Royal Standard - Blazon - 16th c
An early 16th century heavy Standard carved with shields of arms, and retaining the original polychrome decoration. E.R. representing Elizabeth I, is one of the blazon’s displayed on the standard.These standards were frequently carried into battle in medieval times and represented great disgrace if lost or taken during the battle. The standard bearer was very strong and stayed near the leader or king at all times.

Griffin - Blazon - 16th c
A Grotesque Figure carved in oak, part animal and part female, possibly a griffon which is a symbol for peace, supporting an unidentified shield. 16th Century.

Hunting horn - Weapon - 16th c
A Gothic Hunting Horn with brass mounts. This would be used to summons the wolfhounds to and from the hunt.

Sword of estate - Weapon - 14th c
A two-handed Sword of State, with pear shaped pommel and straight cross guard. Early 15th century.

Giant deer racks - Deer racks - BC10000
Heads of the Great Irish Elk. 10,000 B. C. The heads of the giant Irish deer (Megaceros Hibernicus) 10, 000 years old. The species was numerous in the Limerick area, specimens have been recovered from Lough Gur.

Giant deer racks - Deer racks - BC10000
Heads of the Great Irish Elk. 10,000 B. C. The heads of the giant Irish deer (Megaceros Hibernicus) 10, 000 years old. The species was numerous in the Limerick area, specimens have been recovered from Lough Gur.

Giant deer racks - Deer racks - BC10000
Heads of the Great Irish Elk. 10,000 B. C. The heads of the giant Irish deer (Megaceros Hibernicus) 10, 000 years old. The species was numerous in the Limerick area, specimens have been recovered from Lough Gur.

High backed Oak Throne Chair - Chair - 15th c
A high-backed Oak throne chair, the back, sides and front of the box seat in linenfold panels. A shaped cresting rail having carved finials and the letters RN surmounts the back. Late 15th century. The seat and arms not original.

Wainscot chair - Chair - 17th c
An oak Wainscot chair with shaped top rail above a carved panel, with diamond carved panel below. Plain turned front legs and arm supports, Plain stretchers. Circa 1640.

Bronze andalusian bowl - Plate - 18th c

Enghien Tapestry - Tapestry - 16th c
Tapestry depicting a nature themed scene, displaying fine detail and use of woad to give the vibrant blue colours. Such tapestries were moveable and were used to insulate draughty large rooms and appartments.

Manuscript box - Furniture - 16th c
A small late 16th century Document Box with elaborate ironwork decoration over the leather covered carcass, with carrying handle.

Gothic Oak Dressoir - Cupboard - 15th c
An early 16th century Gothic Oak dressoir consisting of an upper enclosed portion of six panels carved with heads and roundels, the two central panels forming doors, two drawers beneath. The open lower section having four carved pillars and a linenfold panelled back also moulded platform base. Probably French close to its Flemish border.

French tapestry The fountain of youth - Tapestry - 15th c
A Panel of French tapestry of the so-called park type, woven with the theme of the Fountain of Youth. The scene occurs within a Wattle fence with fabulous animals beneath, amidst flowers and foliage. The whole is contained within the original floral border. Early 16th century, but could be earlier in origin, possibly 14th century because of its lack of perspective. It also displays the popular fourteenth century symbols collectively of the lion, the dog, and the unicorn symbolising ferocity, domesticity and lust.

Spanish coffer - Furniture - 16th c
16th century Spanish chest in Walnut, having five ornate handles along the front and similar handles at the sides. The lock plate pierced in Gothic fashion.

Dower chest - Furniture - 16th c
A large mid-16th century Continental Dower oak cupboard. The front with high relief carved panels depicting The Annunciation, The Birth and The Crucifixion, in the upper section. The central panel portrays the Last Supper – with eleven disciples. Judas is displayed with the bag of money in his left hand – and the bottom panels show Jesus before the High Priest and The Trial. The sides decorated with various figures and ornamental basses. The sides of linenfold panelling. It is believed to be Westphalian in origin. It is personally initialled on the right and left hand sides by the owners, A.T. and S.A. with both sides showing the differing coats of arms of those involved in this commissioned piece.

Tiered buffet - Cupboard - 17th c
An early Jacobean Oak Three Tiered Buffet with heavy carved and turned supports, two drawers and friezes decorated with low relief carving and is 17th century. It has a small lock on the drawer.

Tapestry of The Triumph of Charlemagne - Tapestry - 16th c
A large panel of Tournai tapestry depicting The Triumph of Charlemagne, part of a series of the "Nine Heros". Charlemagne (c 742-814) was king of the Franks. After a number of wars he increased his territory considerably and became the founder of the Holy Roman Empire. This tapestrydepicts the crowning of Charlemagne by Pope Leo III on Christmas day in 800A.D. He can be recognised by his armour which is covered with a cloak decorated with ermine.The deliberate fault in this tapestry lies in the right hand lower corner and depicts a hand with five fingers and a thumb instead of four.

Abraham & Isaac woodcut - Carving - 16th c
Two amalgamated woodcuts, wonderfully carved in high relief with hunting scenes. Lords and Ladies on horseback with their castles in the background and servants carrying dead game. The lower panel has religious influences and could be the story of Abraham and Isaac. French early 16th Century.

Statue of St. Martin of Tours - Statue - 15th c
A near life-sized Carved Wood Figure of St. Martin on a horse. Saint Martin of Tours was famous for giving half his manteau or coat to a beggar. Many cathedrals were built in his honour. The statue is 16th century but the horse is a 20th century reproduction.

Torch holders - Fire accessory - 20th c
A Pair of Fire Dogs welded together acting as torch holders. The type of wood used for such torches would usually be green to ensure its longevity. Horse chestnut was favoured.

Blazon - Blazon - 15th c
15th century carved wooden figures holding shields with heraldic devices. The wings a later addition to conceal the lighting.

Blazon - Blazon - 15th c
15th century carved wooden figures holding shields with heraldic devices. The wings a later addition to conceal the lighting.

Blazon - Blazon - 15th c
15th century carved wooden figures holding shields with heraldic devices. The wings a later addition to conceal the lighting.

Blazon - Blazon - 15th c
15th century carved wooden figures holding shields with heraldic devices. The wings a later addition to conceal the lighting.

Blazon - Blazon - 15th c
15th century carved wooden figures holding shields with heraldic devices. The wings a later addition to conceal the lighting.

Blazon - Blazon - 15th c
15th century carved wooden figures holding shields with heraldic devices. The wings a later addition to conceal the lighting.

Blazon - Blazon - 15th c
15th century carved wooden figures holding shields with heraldic devices. The wings a later addition to conceal the lighting.

Blazon - Blazon - 15th c
15th century carved wooden figures holding shields with heraldic devices. The wings a later addition to conceal the lighting.

Leed refectory table - Furniture - 16th c
A massive early 17th century Oak Refectory Table raised on ten plain turned legs united by stretchers. Ex. Leeds Castle. This was purchased in the 1960s.