The Earl and Countess of Essex, Handmade Brass Rubbings, Medieval Art, Renaissance Art, Grave Rubbing, deals Rubbing

Each of these rubbings measures approximately 15 by 38 inches. They will be made with gold or silver heelball on black paper produced specifically for brass rubbing. Your rubbing will arrive ready for mounting and framing. If you would prefer to purchase either or separately - just convo me!

These rubbings are the Earl and Countess of Essex, Henry and Isabel Bourchier c. 1483. They are buried in Little Easton, Essex, Great Britain.

Henry Bourchier was the first Earl of Essex to bear the title. He is wearing the robes of the Garter over Lancastrian armor. His head rests upon a great helm, which is surmounted by the crest of a Saracern's head. At his feet is an eagle, which had been a crest of the family from the time of Richard II.

Isabel was the Aunt of Edward IV and the daughter of the Earl of Cambridge. She is dressed in a purple mantle over a scarlet kirtle faced with ermine. Her hair is gathered into a reticulated caul and her head rests upon a flowered cushion supported by angels. Both she and her husband wear collars of suns and roses.

Monumental brasses were produced between 1000 – 1650 AD as a commemoration to the dead, or as a special church related event. Today, only approximately 8,000 monumental brasses left. Because the metal and enamel used to create these monuments were such precious commodities, many were destroyed and melted down to create armament. In addition, many of the brasses were destroyed during the various religious uprisings in Great Britain and the continent. 

Brass rubbings are done by stretching a linen rag paper over the deeply etched monumental brass that is usually found at the gravesite. After securing the paper, heelball (a very hard wax) is rubbed vigorously over the paper surface to get an exact copy of the brass plate. A single rubbing can take from 2 hours deals to 2 days to complete depending in it's size, condition, and complexity.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING EITHER HENRY OR ISABEL SEPARATELY, PLEASE JUST CONVO ME AND I WILL SET UP A PRIVATE LISTING FOR YOU!