A rare pair of William and Mary carved elm bellows late 17th century

the handles with inset disc and tablet motifs, the front with owner ship triad 'ICO' and fountain mask above a mythical phoenix  with out stretched wings surrounded by flames and small chick (perhaps denoting the rebirth of itself) to its breast, the reverse with lion mask, heart shaped aperture and foliate decoration, the brass knopped nozzle with incised line decoration

Superb colour and patination. Old loss to Pheonix beak and nose of mask. Numerous repairs to leather. The reverse rubbed and with very slight chips. The nozzle turned. A wonderful object.
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These remarkable bellows utilise the story of the mythical phoenix rising from the ashes very well - there is a clear attempt by the woodcarver to associate symbolism with function and it is a playful attempt to link the mundane with the fantastical.

For other evocative examples see Ralph Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, Woodbridge, second edition, 1954, Vol. II, p. 59, figs. 17, 18, 19. Also see a pair of bellows illustrated by Henry Shaw, Specimens of Ancient Furniture, London, 1836, pl. LIII. These bellows also feature a fable and have strapwork decoration carved to the reverse.