Plate painted with the sacrifices of Cain and Abel
Description:
Title devised by curator., A tin-glazed earthenware (maiolica) plate, painted and gilt, with a scene showing the death of Abel. Formerly located in the China-Room at Strawberry Hill. The scene perhaps in reverse after an engraving by Gerard de Laitesse., Text from 1774 edition of Description of the villa of Horace Walpole, youngest son of Sir Robert Walpole Earl of Orford at Strawberry-Hill: 17. possibly [China Room]. Four dessert plates of fayence, with figures and boys round the borders; by Pietro da Cortona: very fine. A fifth ditto with goats, a present from Lady Diana Beauclerc., Text from the 1842 Catalogue of the classic contents of Strawberry Hill collected by Horace Walpole: A pair of very rare plates, on one is represented the Building of Babel, with many figures, on the other the Death of Abel., Label on verso: Strawberry Hill; later dealer label “2575 Pair 2 gui”., Castelli maiolica from the workshop of Carlantonio Grue. Formerly inventoried at Lewis Walpole Library as Delft., and Also available as a digital reproduction.
