Enquiry for: “ The Earth Stopper “ Oak Frieze Panel .

   George Smart 
The Tailor of Frant

Unique Oak frieze panel telling the story of the earth stopper which George Smart made famous 
 with numerous versions of this subject in different mediums, though this panel is definitely not 
 linked to the man himself. This is a first as I've never seen a carved version of it. In Jonathan Christie's book George Smart the Tailor of Frant the Earth Stopper story can be traced back
to a print by Nathan Drake published by V. Green in 1767 whose subject is described as Arthur
Wentworth of Bulmer near Castle Howard Yorkshire. The story depicting the startled figure on horseback alarmed by a presence on the road ahead , he believes that the silhouetted figure is none other the devil himself causing him to throw his lantern, spade & top hat into the air What really is there is a chimney sweep standing in front of his  donkey the back lit moonlight giving a distorted image of a black devilish like creature with the body of an animal with pronounced pointy 
 ears. The oak frieze panel most probably carved in the late 1800s by someone with a liking to this story. A unique piece of English Folkart. 

English Folk Art 
The Earth Stopper 
Oak Frieze Panel 19th Century.
4ft long.