Details
A French parcel-gilt miniature ewer
on a rising circular foot decorated with foliage and with a caryatid scroll handle, the globular body cast with a battle with classical figures and centaurs - 4½in. (11.25cm.)
on a rising circular foot decorated with foliage and with a caryatid scroll handle, the globular body cast with a battle with classical figures and centaurs - 4½in. (11.25cm.)
Further details
The above piece probably depicts a battle between the Lapiths, a peace-loving people of Thessaly, who gathered to celebrate the wedding of their King Pirithous to Hippodiama. The centaurs were invited to the feast but soon began to misbehave, one of them, Eurytus, trying to abscond with the bride. A battle ensued until finally, thanks chiefly to Theseus, a friend of Pirithous, the centaurs were driven off. To the ancients this theme symbolised the victory of civilisation over barbarism.