Five Praying Figures (Likely Daughters from a Monumental Brass)
Print / Brass Rubbing on paper • Anonymous (after a 16th-17th century English monumental brass)
Style & Movement
Late Gothic / Tudor Revivalist interest
Medium & Technique
Brass rubbing using black heelball (wax/graphite) on orange-toned paper
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century (approx. 1950-1980)
Dimensions & Format
Approx. 12 x 10 inches; Portrait format
Subject Description
The image depicts five female figures, likely daughters, from a larger monumental tomb brass. They are shown in profile or three-quarter view, standing with hands clasped in prayer. They wear period-specific attire including ruff collars and long gowns, characteristic of Elizabethan or Jacobean mourning iconography.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the rubbing itself is clear, but the paper shows signs of waviness (cockling) behind the glass.
Estimated Market Value
$30 - $75 USD
Auction Estimate
$20 - $50 USD
Provenance History
Likely a souvenir or hobbyist piece made in an English parish church; modern private collection.
Art Historical Significance
Brass rubbing became a popular antiquarian hobby in the 19th and 20th centuries as a way to record the genealogy and costumes of the English gentry. While the original brass is historically significant, the rubbing is a decorative reproduction.
Notable Features
The use of vibrant orange paper is a typical mid-century decorative choice, departing from the traditional white or black paper used for more scholarly rubbings.
Condition Issues
Slight undulation of paper; minor reflections on glass suggest it is not archival mounted; possible light fading to the orange paper substrate.
Conservation Recommendations
Remount using acid-free matting to prevent acid burn; use UV-protective glass to prevent the colored paper from fading further.