A mid-Victorian burr elm and carved oak console table bearing the Bower Family Coat of Arms

A mid-Victorian burr elm and carved oak console table bearing the Bower Family Coat of Arms,

of serpentine outline, with egg and dart moulded edge over a richly carved and moulded apron with central Coat of Arms, C-scrolls and acanthus, fitted with a single side drawer, on carved and moulded cabriole forelegs terminating in paw feet, and oblong section backlegs terminating in block feet

Dimensions: 160cm wide, 89cm high, 66cm deep

Notes: The Bower Family coat of arms depicts a boar and a shield with a silver cross. There is an example of this crest on a monument in Gloucester Cathedral, North Transept, inscribed with the names of John Bower (died 1615) and his wife, Ann Bower (died 1613), who was Ann Nanfan of Birtsmorton Court, Worcestershire. Her pedigree goes back to Henry II via King John and his second son, Richard, Duke of Cornwall and King of the Romans.

It is believed that the arms were granted to two brothers. It is believed that they were crusaders from receiving the cross of Malta. One brother was given a gold cross, and the other brother who went to Gloucestershire was given a silver cross. It is the second brother from which they are descended.

Provenance: This item originates from a private family collection and was in situ at Castle Froma, Leamington Spa 1913-1954. It comes by descent through the Bower family.

The earliest record the family has is of John (Died 1545) and Eleanor Bower of the Manor at Bradstone. Of particular note is John and Ann Bower of The Manor at Bradstone. Ann was a descendant of Richard II.

‘When Queen Elizabeth was on the throne, a little girl named Ann was growing up in Worcestershire. She too had Royal blood in her veins as she was descended through her grandmother, Maud (or Matilda), daughter of Sir Richard Barrington from Richard, Earl of Cornwall, the second son of King John and grandson of Henry II. She was born in the reign of Edward VI as was her brother Giles and sister Maud. Ann grew up to be a lovely woman and was given in marriage to one John Bower. The Bowers lived in Gloucestershire for many generations'

The vendor's Grandmother and Mother were at ‘Castle Froma’ Leamington Spa, Warwickshire with the name Tunbridge. His mother married Kenneth Dibben. They have had houses in Smith Square. Their house, No.4 had a scene from ‘The Forsythe Saga’ filmed on the doorstep and ‘Naish Priory’ in East Coker, Somerset.