Rare and Antiquated Vintage University Oak Fire Screen Tapestry Oxbridge Cambridge Emmanuel

This is actually more interesting than it looks. Thoughts of stuffy rooms in late Victorian and Edwardian times with lecturers and students chewing the fat over various subjects with the fire screen to one side as the fire blasts to keep warm the old buildings.
Emmanuel College was founded in 1584, although this tapestry is certainly not that old! But certainly pre-20th century.
Almost certainly it has been an addition to the screen frame and this is an amateur made screen and quite fascinating and very difficult to pin down. The actual screen is made of either oak or mahogany, it is difficult to tell as it has a thick patina on it. It may be an amalgamation of the two woods. Certainly the brass handle is Victorian. It may just be a frame that has evolved over the years.
I think it was maybe originally framed and someone has tried to put that frame into screen. The actual mount, although everything screams out Victorian, is later it is made of board and this sort of hard board I don't think came into use until the 20th century.
Although it looks like the 'college' written at the bottom has been cut down I really don't think it has been. I think it's just been the way the needlepointer has produced it although it does seem slightly odd.
Although very old the tapestry seems to be quite well preserved.
The screen does very slightly rock forward and backwards as the joinery at the bottom as I say is amateur however as is it stands perfectly fine.
On two stretches of the softwood pine frame to the back there are some wormholes. Although these holes were redundant and historical I have applied a generous quantity of woodworm fluid just in case.
Make no mistake, this is a rustic piece of amateur produced furniture but absolutely astounding and so full of interest. Indeed the amateur construction I think really just adds further authenticity and curiosity to this wonderful piece.
Please take a good look at all the images and use the zoom in facility to get a good look at the condition.
Height 82 cm
Width 65 cm
Depth 26 cm

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DELIVERY.
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It will take about 2 weeks.