CIRCA 1870, AFTER THE ORIGINAL BY FRANCOIS BRIOT, IN THE MANNER OF ELKINGTON AND CO.

The present lot is after the 'Temperantia' Basin, designed by François Briot (1545-1620), in the collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum no. 2063-1855). The central boss features Temperance, her outstretched arm offers a tazza of wine. Around the central boss are four cartouches represent the earth's elements (air, water, earth and fire). The dish is further embossed with allegorical panels representing Minerva and the seven liberal arts. A copy of this basin is used as the women's singles final trophy at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. A ceramic example is in the collection of the Musée du Louvre, Paris.