The 'Tree of Jesse' Cupboard
Category
Furniture
Date
1509
Materials
Carved, joined and paneled oak
Measurements
182.5 x 152 x 79.1 cm
Place of origin
Germany
Order this imageCollection
Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire
NT 514380
Summary
A carved and paneled oak cupboard, German, dated 1509 With an overhanging stepped cornice above carved and pierced inset panels, the top central panel a door and all profusely carved with an adaptation of 'The Tree of Jesse'. The central panel depicting Jesse is dated above his head 1509, the two stems which form the tree sweep outwards and reunite beneath the seated figure of The Virgin Mary and Christ. Carved with further figures of St. Joseph, St. Anne and with cherubs, St George slaying the dragon and various other figures. The corners are carved with gothic spires and more figures and with linen fold panels to the sides and to the back panel of the lower section of the cupboard. The shelf stretcher with further carving to the apron and raised on a rectangular plinth with a moulded edge of later date, probably mid - late 19th century.
Full description
Together with the cupboard is a drawing by Issac Johnson and stating 'Cabinet, Formerly in the possession of the late William Naunton Esq. of Letherington Priory, Suffolk now of C. Collett Esq. of Woodbridge 1814' See: Charles R. Beard 'The 'Tree of Jesse' cupboard in the collection of Lord Faithaven, date unknown. 'Issac Johnson was a local surveyor of antiquarian tastes and had considerable talent as a craftsman. Mr. Collett's ownership of the cupboard is duly noted at the foot of the sketch and also bears the statement that the cupboard formally belonged to Mr. William Naunton...and this circumstance takes the documented history back to the middle of the 18th century, for William Naughton , the last of his family, died on August 21st 1758. The history of the cupboard between 1758 and 1814 is unrecorded.' 'When Naunton died in 1757 Letherington Priory had been in the possession of the Nauntons for just over 200 years, having been bequeathed with other property on his death in 1552 by Sir Anthony Wingfield, K.G., Captain of the Guard and Vice-Chamberlain to King Edward VI, to his daughter Elizabeth, widow of William Naunton. On her death in 1592 the Prory passed to her son Henry and on the latters death in 1599 to her grandson, Sir Robert Naunton (1563-1635), author of Fragmenta Regalia.' James Weedon (Oct. 2017)
Provenance
By repute formally the property of William Naunton of Letheringham Priory, Suffolk (d.1758) Property of Mr. Collett Esq. circa 1814 Bequeathed to the National Trust by Huttleston Rogers Broughton, 1st Lord Fairhaven (1896-1966) with the house and the rest of the contents.
References
Beard, Charles R. 'The Tree of Jesse cupboard in the collection of Lord Fairhaven'