17th Century Casket, Panel and Picture at Christie's Auction * London * 1 November 2011

Christmas is coming so we can be forgiven for drawing up wish lists ..... Lot 143 is a mid 17th century needlework casket with scenes from the life of Abraham. It is worked in tent stitch employing silk and metal threads. The front has hinged double doors depicting two ladies before a castle, the individual sides are worked with biblical scenes, including Jacob's Ladder and the Banishment of Hagar. There is a hinged lid embroidered with the Sacrifice of Isaac and Rebecca at the Well, the underside of the lid is embroidered in long stitch with the personification of Justice. The doors are worked with a king and queen, each under a raised work tented canopy. Six drawers have depictions of birds, animals and flowers and are lined in pink silk, bound in metal ribbon. The casket measures 12 x 11 x 7 in. (30 x 28 x 18 cm.) and is mounted on a wooden stand having a glass case.
The estimate is £25,000 to £30,000. Click here for more details.

Also for auction is Lot 146 - a needlework casket panel circa 1650 depicting bible stories. The ivory silk ground is worked in coloured silks and metal threads with seed pearl details, depicting three scenes. The central scene is a queen conveyed by a carriage, pulled by four gentlemen. To the left there is a scene of Golgotha, and to the right various buildings, birds, trees and insects embroidered either side, the top section divided by metal braid and worked with Noah's Ark, the rains and a rainbow issuing from clouds above the Eye of God, trimmed in metal braid with a key hole to the centre. The panel which is framed and glazed measures 15.5 x 4 in. (40 x 10 cm.) and has an estimate of £6,000-£8,000. For more details, click here.

Lot 144 is a raised work picture depicting a king, possibly Solomon meeting Sheba, beneath a tented canopy. It, too, is embroidered in silks and metal threads, with the initials 'S S' worked in seed pearls to the roof of the tent. These may be the maker's initials or may signify Solomon and Sheba. It measures 10 x 8.5 in. (27 x 22 cm.) and has an estimate of £5,000-£10,000. Click here for more details.