Private collection of the late Eila Grahame (1935-🎶2009), proud decendant of the Grahames o🍸f Duntrune and Claverhouse

It is believed that roundels of this type were used as a form of entertainment in🌸 that they were placed before each guest at the end of a banquet with the plain side upwards and were used for cheese or confections. After Grace they were reversed and each verse sung or recited by the guests in turn as roundelays to the accompaniment of a lute.

A similar example can be seen illustrated in Edward H. Pinto, Treen or Small Woodware Throughout the Ages, 1949 Edition, pl. 5. Other examples can be seen in Owen Evan Thomas, Domestic Utensils of Wood XVI to XIXth Century, EP Publishing Ltd., 1976, pp. 63-67, pls.24 & 25 and Jonathan Levi, Treen for the Table, Antique Collector`s Club, 1998, pꦆp.132-137, pls.🦋 10/1-10/8.

A closely related set, from the The W. J. Shepherd Collection of Treen sold Sotheby's London, 30 November 1983, lot 770 and subsequently Sotheby's London, Important English Furniture, 6 June 2006, lot 228.

A further set of twelve sold Sotheby's London, Furniture, Clocks & Works of Art, 18 May 2021, lot 1 (£37,800 with premium).