Where were these panels originally displayed?

Many panels originated inside churches as altarpieces, rood screens, or ceiling bosses depicting biblical narratives. Others formed part of aristocratic wall panelling, overdoors, or furniture like box settles. Secular examples served as marriage plaques, architectural fragments from demolished buildings, or decorative elements within grand European and Asian residences.

How do I care for antique carved wood?

Keep carved panels away from direct sunlight, radiators, and damp environments to prevent timber warping or cracking. Dust gently with a dry, soft brush rather than using chemical polishes. Maintaining a stable room temperature preserves delicate gesso, paint, and gold leaf. Excessive cleaning strips away valuable patination accumulated over centuries.

How do I distinguish sixteenth-century panels from nineteenth-century revivals?

Sixteenth-century panels display authentic tool marks, heavy oak or walnut shrinkage, and period wear consistent with centuries of handling. Revival pieces often show machine intervention or synthetic adhesives. Stylistic cues also help, as Gothic Revival and Renaissance Revival works produced in the nineteenth century interpret earlier motifs with different proportions and sharper edges.