Until early in the fifteenth century, mirrors of polished steel in the antique style, framed in silver and ivory, had been used; in the wardrobe account of Edward I. the item occurs, “A comb and a mirror of silver gilt,” and we have an extract from the privy purse of expenses of Henry VIII. which mentions the payment “to a Frenchman for certayne loking glasses,” which would probably be a novelty then brought to his Majesty’s notice.

Indeed, there was no glass used for windows[8] previous to the fifteenth century, the substitute being shaved horn, parchment, and sometimes mica, let into the shutters which enclosed the window opening.

The oak panelling of rooms during the reign of Elizabeth was very handsome, and in the example at South Kensington, of which there is here an illustration, the country possesses a very excellent representative specimen.  This was removed from an old house at Exeter, and its date is given by Mr. Hungerford Pollen as from 1550-75.  The pilasters and carved panels under the cornice are very rich and in the best style of Elizabethan Renaissance, while the panels themselves, being plain, afford repose, and bring the ornament into relief.  The entire length is 52 ft. and average height 8 ft. 3 in.  If this panelling could be arranged as it was fitted originally in the house of one of Elizabeth’s subjects, with models of fireplace, moulded ceiling, and accessories added, we should then have an object lesson of value, and be able to picture a Drake or a Raleigh in his West of England home.

[Illustration:  Carved Oak Elizabethan Bedstead.]

A later purchase by the Science and Art Department, which was only secured last year for the extremely moderate price of L1,000, is the panelling of a room some 23 ft. square and 12 ft. 6 in. high, from Sizergh Castle, Westmoreland.  The chimney piece was unfortunately not purchased, but the Department has arranged the panelling as a room with a plaster model of the extremely handsome ceiling.  The panelling is of richly figured oak, entirely devoid of polish, and is inlaid with black bog oak and holly, in geometrical designs, being divided at intervals by tall pilasters fluted with bog oak and having Ionic capitals.  The work was probably done locally, and from wood grown on the estate, and is one of the most remarkable examples in existence.  The date is about 1560 to 1570, and it has been described in local literature of nearly 200 years ago.

[Illustration:  Oak Wainscoting, From an old house in Exeter.  S. Kensington Museum.  Period:  English Renaissance (About 1550-75).]

While we are on the subject of panelling, it may be worth while to point out that with regard to old English work of this date, one may safely take it for granted that where, as in the South Kensington (Exeter) example, the pilasters, frieze, and frame-work are enriched, and the panels plain, the work was designed and made for the house, but, when the panels are carved and the rest plain, they were bought, and then fitted up by the local carpenter.