It was listed by Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 16th Century.
Poppy head is a generic term applied to the carved finial of a wooden pew end.
The term comes from the French 'poupee' meaning doll.
Some of these carvings were intentionally damaged by iconoclasts during the Reformation, or later by Puritan fanatics, and in some churches you can clearly see where poppy-heads have been lopped off or defaced.
DIMENSIONS: 12 x 7 x 2.5 inches.
PROVENANCE: Probably an Oxfordshire church.
Private Collection, Burford, Oxfordshire. (see last image)
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 16th Century.
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art Profile Page
Oak 'Poppy Head', C1580/1630.
