Eglantine Table
The Eglantine Table, Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire, elaborately inlaid with marquetry depicting musical instruments, playing-cards, games and heraldic references.
Eglantine Table, Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire, 1567
The Eglantine or “Aeglantyne” table is located in the High Great Chamber at Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire. The oak table is elaborately inlaid with walnut marquetry depicting Elizabethan musical instruments, games and heraldic references, including playing cards, allegorical figures and wooden sheet music by the famous Renaissance composer, Thomas Tallis. The songs are, of course, uplifting rather than bawdy. In one corner is this ‘guitar’ surrounded by twelve playing cards: four aces, fives and tens in each suit.
The question is: Why are only the four aces, fives and tens shown in each suit? Perhaps there is an occult meaning. We had thought about musical intervals. 5:10 = 1:2 which is an octave. But 1:5 has no musical meaning that we know. Do you know anybody who might have an idea what they mean?
Above: detail from the Eglantine Table (Aeglantyne Table), Hardwick Hall, Doe Lea, Chesterfield - The High Great Chamber. The table was made to celebrate the triple marriage contract between the families of Talbot and Cavendish in 1567. Photo credit: Christopher Page.
• See also: National Trust website.
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996 • Contact
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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