The Netherlands And The Renaissance
There was a close commercial connection between Flanders and England during the sixteenth century, and a consequent interchange of merchandise, resulting in the same influences being at work in arts and crafts. Many of the Flemish pieces in our museums are not unlike Tudor oak, and no doubt the Renaissance affected the Netherlands much as it did this country. Moreover, the Flemish artists worked on similar lines to those followed by French wood-workers.. The Continental love of colour is seen in some of the Flemish carvings which were often painted. Among the more important examples of Flemish work, possessed by this country, is a splendid piece of media val carving in rich red-black oak. It is a sideboard or credence table, the panels and doors of which are deeply recessed, and carved with the figures of saints and small heads. Unfortunately, the old locks have been removed. This beautiful piece in the Victoria and Albert Museum is staged along with others coming from the Netherlands. A very early example is a small oak cupboard on high legs, the tracery of the side panels being of Gothic design, and in the centre of the panels there are deeply carved monks' heads. It is a typical fifteenth-century piece.
( Originally Published Early 1900's )