Lot Essay
The Latin title means 'foolish fire' and refers to the phosphorescent light sometimes seen hovering over marshy ground. It is foolhardy to follow it into the marshes and therefore 'Ignis Fatuus' is associated with foolish or deluded ventures. Pegram's relief shows a woman sitting on a throne who, like the broken bow, has been cast aside by the warrior who reaches up in pursuit of his vain desires, which are represented by the bat and insect-winged human heads above.