A rare late 18th century relief-carved lime wood panel depicting a vase of flowers, signed and dated Putman 1790
possibly an allegory relating to the Declaration of the Rights of Man
the finely carved flowers including roses, ranunculus, narcissus, poppies and lilac, the vase decorated with a frieze depicting Britannia and Plenty flanking two oval pendants - one with a brazier on a plinth, the other with a cockerel standing on a reeded plinth with a laurel wreath to the base, the pedestal foot resting on a platform scattered with four coins or medallions, three decorated with portrait bust, the last vacant, two busts bearing striking resemblances to Benjamin Franklin & the Marquis de Lafayette, the whole supported by four recumbent lions and centred by a sea serpent,, signed and dated to the left hand bottom corner fecit . putman . Sculp . 1790, later mounted in a glazed and carved and parcel gilt rectangular box frame, the panel, 55cm x 38cm, the frame, 71cm x 53cm
