Three leather panels

Art Historical Context

These exquisite *Three Leather Panels*, likely crafted in France during the first half of 17th century, the artistry of European leatherwork—a luxurious yet accessible medium for interior decoration. Mounted on canvas and wooden frames, the panels measure approximately 22 × 29 inches for two larger pieces (3a and 3b) and 16 × 5½ inches for the smaller one (3c). Adorned with delicate motifs of birds and flowers, they reflect the ornate Baroque taste for nature-inspired designs that brought elegance to homes and palaces. Leather panels like these were a popular alternative to costly tapestries, often tooled, painted, or gilded to mimic textiles. In 17th-century France, such works embodied the era's decorative opulence, blending functionality with fine craftsmanship from natural substances. Their placement in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts highlights their role in everyday luxury. Gifted in 1973 by Eleanor Marquand Delanoy, Mary Marquand Hochschild, and Sarnia Marquand in memory of their father, Professor Allan Marquand, these anonymous treasures invite us to appreciate the skilled hands behind forgotten decorative traditions. A closer look reveals how birds and blooms once animated grand spaces, whispering stories of a vibrant past.