trencher
- Museum number
- 1896,0807.8.b
- Description
-
Trencher painted on one side. Quatrain within a frame and above, red flowers with gilding.
- Production date
- 1600 (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 13.60 centimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
-
This trencher is one of a set of twelve, with their original box (registration no. 1896,0807.8.a), the lid of which is painted with a vase of roses and other flowers.
-
Trenchers used for dessert course by elite, each with verses or pictures to stimulate witty after-dinner conversation: virtue, marriage, love, social status. Make good marriage or New Year's gifts. Use plain side. see Elizabeth I exhib.cat. no. 87 for Ashmus set. This set in Proceedings of Society of Antiquaries XII, p. 201 as "Probably the finest in existence" and is based largely on the theme of friendship. That article lists a number of sets similar to this with inscriptions and likely dates, including what appears to be documentary set. Arthur Church: Minor Arts as Practised in England, 1894, pp. 47-54, p. 52 for this trencher.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
1889/90 London, Tudor Exhibition no.93
- Acquisition date
- 1896
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1896,0807.8.b
