CIRCA 1840, POSSIBLY ENGLISH, UNMARKED

Details

A gold vinaigrette
circa 1840, possibly English, unmarked
In the form of an apple, realistically textured with stem and veined leaf, with removable star-punched grille, the upper border engraved 'To the Fairest', with suspension ring
1 3/8 in. (35 mm.) long

Provenance

Christie's, London, 28 March 1984, lot 23 (£580).

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

In classical mythology, the goddess Eris, in order to sow discord as revenge for not being invited to a wedding banquet, created a golden apple inscribed Kallisti, 'To The Fairest'. Hera, Athena and Aphrodite each claimed ownership, and Paris was selected by Zeus to judge the righful owner. Each goddess attempted to bribe Paris: Athena promised victory in battle, Hera promised great wealth, and Aphrodite offered him the fairest woman on earth. Paris selected Aphrodite as the winner, and was promised Helen of Troy, wife of Menelaus, thus launching the Trojan Wars.

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