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Dutch, Amsterdam or Haarlem, circa 1690–1720
Embossed, silver-ground, glazed and polychromed leather; later linen lined, now museum-framed.
Each: 70 × 50 cm
A fine pair of embossed gilt-leather wall panels, pressed with ogival cartouches centred by radiating palmette rosettes and framed by scrolling acanthus and carnation sprays. Originally laid in silver leaf and glazed to imitate gold, the surfaces were enriched with pigments in petrol blue, coral and umber. Over three centuries they have mellowed to a bronzed patina, the relief still crisp and the palette vivid.
This ornamental vocabulary belongs to the high Baroque phase of Dutch gilt-leather production, when Haarlem and Amsterdam workshops exported wall hangings throughout Europe — notably to Sweden, Denmark and beyond — where they rivalled Genoese and Lyonnais silks in splendour.
Comparable schemes survive in the Rijksmuseum and in the V&A’s gilt leather room.
Evidence of tack holes at the margins confirms their original installation as architectural wall coverings. Later relined c19th century with linen for stability.
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