How were these panels originally used?

Many panels functioned as structural elements within larger architectural schemes, forming the walls of church altarpieces, domestic wainscoting, or furniture cabinetry like coffers and sideboards. Others served a purely decorative purpose as wall plaques, devotional reliefs, or folding screens designed to divide interior spaces.

How should I hang a heavy wooden panel?

Heavy panels require secure wall anchoring that distributes the weight evenly across internal framing studs rather than relying solely on surface plaster. Professional mirror plates or hidden French cleats provide stable mounting systems that keep the historic timber flush against the wall.

Can I tell the age from the carving style?

Stylistic markers such as sixteenth-century linenfold, seventeenth-century strapwork, or nineteenth-century Gothic revival motifs offer primary clues to a panel's date of origin. Tool marks, timber shrinkage, and the natural oxidation of the wood surface help corroborate the period suggested by the decorative style.

How do I care for antique carved timber?

Maintain stable indoor humidity levels and keep panels away from direct heat sources to prevent the wood from drying out and splitting over time. Dust gently with a soft dry brush and apply a microcrystalline wax sparingly only when the surface appears dry to the touch.