Rare Early 17th-Century Scottish Carved Pine Plaque

Period: 1600 - 1630
Origin: Scotland
Dimensions: W 14 1/2" × H 30 1/4"
Reference: #Marh3554

This piece has been sold. It is shown here for reference in our archive.

Description

A striking survival of Scottish Reformation piety, this large pine plaque is carved in high relief with a biblical inscription from Psalm 112: “Blessed is ye man yt feareth ye Lord and delyteth in his commandments.” The inscription is set within a bold cartouche frame with scrolling strapwork and stylised beast-head terminals, reflecting the vigorous decorative vocabulary of early 17th-century Scottish carving.

Provenance: Private collection, Somerset.

Plaques of this type were intended as moral and devotional prompts, reinforcing scriptural authority within domestic or civic interiors. The choice of Psalm 112 — a text praising the righteous man who delights in God’s law — is entirely consistent with the Presbyterian ethos of post-Reformation Scotland, where plain but emphatic biblical texts often replaced the religious imagery of earlier centuries.
Comparable lettering and presentation can be found on the remarkable group of early 17th-century armchairs at Trinity Hall, Aberdeen, which bear carved inscriptions in a similar hand. Surviving panels of this form are exceedingly rare, and this example stands as a tangible testament to the Reformation’s impact on material culture in Scotland.

Curator's Note

Rare Early 17th-Century Scottish Carved Pine Plaque

Description

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