Interior, principal floor, dining-room, detail of carved wooden panel above fireplace. Digital image of D 41634/cn

Description Interior, principal floor, dining-room, detail of carved wooden panel above fireplace. Digital image of D 41634/cn

Date 16/11/1998

Collection Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu

Catalogue Number SC 764684

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of D 41634 CN

Scope and Content Detail of Carved Panel above West Fireplace in Dining Room, Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfries & Galloway This late 17th-century carving, thought to be the work of the Dutch-born wood-carver, Grinling Gibbons, is applied to the overmantel of the west fireplace, one of two identical fireplaces set in the north wall of the dining room. The carvings, superbly executed in oak, form cascades of fruit, leaves and flowers, symbols of wealth and abundance, and include a dead bird within the centrepiece, another symbol of plenty commonly found in Dutch art of the time. The carving has probably come from another room in the house, and re-applied in its present position some time after the remodelling of the room c.1840. Grinling Gibbons (1648-1720) had extraordinary talent in woodworking and evolved his own distinct style of carving. His trademarks were cascades of fruit, foliage, fish and birds which could be applied to panelling, furniture, walls or even chimneys. He was promoted by a succession of wealthy patrons, and eventually received royal commissions, including one from King William III to redecorate his state apartments. As a result, in 1693 Gibbons was allowed to use the title 'Master Carver'. He had an enormous influence on the interior design and décor in the late 17th century, and much of his work survives in country houses such as Dalkeith Palace in Scotland, and Belton House and Sudbury Hall in England. Drumlanrig Castle, one of the great Renaissance courtyard houses of Scottish domestic architecture, was built between 1679 and 1690 for William Douglas, 1st Duke of Queensberry, on the site of a late 14th-century Douglas stronghold. The castle passed to the Dukes of Buccleuch in 1810, and is now the home of the 9th Duke (11th Duke of Queensberry). It houses many great family treasures and important works of art, including magnificent carvings and a fine collection of paintings. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

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