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  • image Image 1 for S53
  • image Image 2 for S53
  • image Image 3 for S53
SM S53. ©Sir John Soane's Museum, London. Photo: Justin Piperger
  • image Image 1 for S53
  • image Image 2 for S53
  • image Image 3 for S53

Diptych, with oval depictions of a tree and a woman

17th century

Wood, painted

Museum number: S53

Not on display

Curatorial note

On the right-hand leaf of this diptych is miniature portrait of a woman (inset into an oval aperture) and on the other leaf is painted a somewhat styalised tree, within a painted oval frame, with the skyline of a city in the backgrouind, perhaps Oxford (?). The tree depicted may be a Rowan tree judging from its clumped foliage and serrated leaves: the Rowan was believed by many to offer protection against malevolent forces and during a journey.


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