{"product_id":"pair-of-late-18th-century-embossed-antique-leather-stag-plaques","title":"A Pair of Late 18th-Century Embossed Leather Plaques, Each Decorated with a Stag Trippant, Probably English","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis charming pair of small oval plaques is worked in moulded and embossed leather, which has deepened with age to a rich, glossy chestnut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eEach is centred by a stag trippant: in heraldic language, a deer walking forward with three hooves on the ground and the fourth raised. The stag stands before a woodland setting, with trees rising behind. The scene is framed by a raised border of interlaced strapwork, its compartments infilled with small decorative motifs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe modelling is lively and assured, and the low relief catches the light beautifully across the stags’ flanks and the foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eSuch plaques were most probably made as decorative mounts for the back supports of chairs, where they would have been set into the cresting or splat, though their original furniture is long since lost. The stag, a long-favoured emblem of the hunt and the country estate, would have suited a hall, library or sporting interior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThey are rare survivals of a fragile material. Displayed as a pair, they make an engaging small-scale addition to a cabinet, study or bookshelf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Found in Yorkshire, England, close to Helmsley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moulded and embossed leather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good. Each plaque shows surface wear and minor rubbing to the high points of the relief and to the borders, consistent with age. The reverses show old residues from their former mounting. Please refer to the images.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Height 5 in (12.7 cm)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Holt Antiques at East Raynham","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50230645227862,"sku":"HAF2225","price":265.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/7462\/5878\/files\/Photoroom-20250412-182426_1_4.jpg?v=1744480021","url":"https:\/\/holtantiquefurniture.com\/products\/pair-of-late-18th-century-embossed-antique-leather-stag-plaques","provider":"Holt Antiques at East Raynham","version":"1.0","type":"link"}