Large and Historically Important 19th Century Scottish Oak Fireplace Mantel

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Large and Historically Important 19th Century Scottish Oak Fireplace Mantel

About the Item

A large and historically important Scottish oak fireplace mantel. The main frieze panel is carved of a single piece of oak, rather than applied decoration, with elaborate thistle and foliage design and the Scottish motto ‘Nemo me impune lacessit’ (No one "cuts" (attacks) me with impunity). Either side of the frieze sits a lion with a paw resting on a Scottish shield with lion rampant. Again, each of the lions, including the shield, is carved from a single piece of oak. To the rear of the frieze is written in pencil ‘Novar House, Picture Gallery, East End’- A reference note most probably written by the original carpenter. The Munros of Novar (Inverness-Shire) descend from John Munro, 1st of Milntown, who in turn was the second son of Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis (d.1425). The lands that Novar House sits on were acquired in 1589, however the current house and estate are largely the creation of Sir Hector Munro, 8th of Novar (1726–1805) who made his name and fortune as an officer in the British Army, most notably in India. It is understood that this fireplace was installed, circa 1890 by Ronald Crauford Munro-Ferguson, 1st and last Viscount of Novar. Novar House remains in the family today and they have confirmed that around 4 of these fireplaces existed at one time, each unique and depicting different beasts. The opposing fireplace to this one with stag heads can be seen in a photograph of the west end of the picture gallery, circa 1900. The two other examples depicted tigers and elephants but their whereabouts are unknown. External dimensions of the fireplace are 225 cm wide at it’s widest point and 167 cm high. The opening is 158 cm wide by 130 cm high. Footnote: Ronald Crauford Munro-Ferguson, 1st and last Viscount Novar (6th March 1860-30th March 1934), son of Colonel Robert Munro Ferguson. He attended Sandhurst Royal Military College and was commissioned in 1875 in the service of the 1st Fifeshire Light Horse and again in 1879 with the Grenadier Guards. He held the office of Member of Parliament for Ross and Cromarty between 1884-1885, Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in 1886, Member of Parliament for Leith Burghs between 1886-1914, Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs between 1892-1894, Junior Lord of the Treasury between 1894-1895, Invested as a Privy Counsellor in 1910, Knight Grand Cross, Order of St. Michael and St. George (G.C.M.G.) in 1914, Governor-General of Australia between 1914-1920, 1st Viscount Novar, of Raith, on 6 December 1920, 1st and last Viscount Novar on 6 December 1920, Secretary of State for Scotland between 1922-1924, Chairman of the Political Honours Commitee in 1925, Invested as a Knight, Order of the Thistle (K.T.) in 1926 and held the office of Vice-Lord-Lieutenant of Fife in 1926.

Dimensions:
Height: 65.75 in (167 cm)Width: 88.59 in (225 cm)Depth: 11.82 in (30 cm)
Style:
Late Victorian (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Oak
Place of Origin:
Scotland
Period:
Late 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1890
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. The vertical uprights (below each lion) are replacements as the originals had become separated from the rest of the surround. These have been professionally made from period oak using the photograph of the opposing surround as a reference.
Seller Location:
Glamis, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: JW/15/1531stDibs: LU100053821762