Victorian
Circa 1860–1900 | England
An outstanding antique Victorian carved wooden breadboard. This antique breadboard clearly retains its deep carving throughout the decoration and motto. The top border contains the motto “Bless this House” in gothic script, an example that is rarely found today.
The antique breadboard has a symmetrical half bottom border of intricately carved wheatsheaves tied into a ribbon. It has a lovely deep patina in the carving, particularly evident through the decorative carving of the wheatsheaves and the motto.
DIMENSIONS: Diameter 28 cm.
SIGNATURES, MARKINGS & INSCRIPTIONS: Whilst attribution of breadboards is difficult, as so little printed information remains, there was a family of famous carvers, William Wing and his sons George and William. Most likely this is a breadboard made by the Wings as the lettering is Gothic and it has their distinctive ‘bobbly serifs’ and Wing-style ‘B’ (see The Gen).
CONDITION: In very good condition, with wear commensurate with antique age and use of such a piece. The breadboard has a lovely patina evident through the untouched colour and wear, knife marks which have created an undulating centre and lovely golden warm colour. These all add to the history of the piece and wonder of the stories it could tell.
REFERENCES: For an example of an antique breadboard with the signature Wing-style ‘B’ see Vintage Breadboards, Madeleine Neave, Prospect Books, 2019, p. 215.
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THE GEN
“Although we don’t know what the Wing family looked like, we certainly know what their boards looked like. The lettering is mostly Gothic and the capital letters have distinctive bobbly serif. Tom Samuel described Wing’s style as ‘pragmatic virtuosity’. The Wings could carve superb pieces, but they were also savvy enough to minimise the time-consuming elements in order to offer a range of prices. This commercial approach came at the perfect time: the price of wheat had been slashed by the Repeal of the Corn Laws and bread became affordable again.” (Vintage Breadboards, Madeleine Neave, Prospect Books, 2019, p. 187)
George Wing has now become the go to name for collectors of the best breadboards.
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Would you like to know more about this piece? Email info@georgegen.com.au I would be happy to help.
