Circa 1850 Walnut Bas Relief Plaque of a Medieval Scene, Style of Viollet-Le-Duc

Description

Depicting the arrival of a king and his traveling party, this bas-relief plaque was hand-carved circa 1850 in France. The … more Depicting the arrival of a king and his traveling party, this bas-relief plaque was hand-carved circa 1850 in France. The Medieval scene is reminiscent of the stylings of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, a 19th-century French artisan who specialized in restoring Medieval architecture. Above the head of the king’s horse on the castle façade is the artist’s signature, possibly “Merchella”.

The king’s arrival is met with fanfare, as six citizens in robes stand in front of the castle gates. One man is kneeling before the king, while two others are sounding horns as a seventh denizen stands high up on the castle parapet. The king and three other members of his entourage are seated atop horses, with a few men on foot behind them carrying standards and spears. One of the men on foot has a spyglass extended, eyeing the crenelated tops of the castle. The entire scene is set within a thick molding that surrounds the rectangular plaque. A beautiful dark brown patina enhances the carving of our Medieval plaque, making it a fabulous sculptural piece of art that can be hung on a wall, placed on a mantel, or displayed in a stand. less