Ex Clive Sherwood Collection – Large & Impressive Early 19th Century Antique Carved Oak Grotesque Bracket

This large and impressive carved oak bracket, probably English and of early nineteenth-century date, is carved as a stylised grotesque. It comes with the distinguished provenance of the Clive Sherwood collection.

The beast’s head projects boldly forward, its mouth gaping open and tongue protruding, with heavy brows, deeply carved eyes and a mane of curling locks. The sides are incised with acanthus leaves sweeping back to the mounting block. The carving is vigorous and confident, made to be read from below. The oak has a lovely skin and a rich, deep colour.

Grotesque masks and beasts have guarded doorways, roof timbers, chimneypieces and staircases since the Middle Ages. They were part protective device and part pure delight in invention, and their appeal to collectors of early oak lies in exactly that mix of menace and humour. This example has both in abundance. Mounted on a wall, it would support a shelf, a bust or a small piece of sculpture, and it is equally effective displayed on a table as a sculptural object in its own right.

Clive Sherwood was one of the most influential collectors of English early oak of the twentieth century. He bought widely from the 1960s onwards, and the sale of his collection at Sotheby’s Olympia in May 2002 remains a landmark in the field. This bracket was acquired directly from his son, Christopher Sherwood. It was retained by the family and has not, as far as we understand, been on the open market before.

Provenance: England. Early 19th-century. The Clive Sherwood Collection; thence by descent to his son, Christopher Sherwood, from whom acquired directly.

Material: Carved oak.

Condition: Good, as per the images. The oak has a lovely skin and colour. There is some minor surface wear consistent with age. A further detailed condition report is available on request.

Dimensions: Height 12 in (30.5 cm); width 6 in (15.25 cm); depth 13¾ in (35 cm)