French School, 18th Century
Cleopatra and the Pearl
No reserve
Lot Closed
October 19, 04:05 PM GMT
Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
French School, 18th Century
Cleopatra and the Pearl
oil on canvas
unframed: 71.2 x 91.7 cm.; 28 x 36⅛ in.
framed: 79.6 x 99.5 cm.; 31⅜ x 39⅛ in..
Queen Cleopatra of Egypt sits in front of the Roman statesman Mark Antony holding a pearl, poised over a golden goblet. According to romantic legend, when he expressed his surprise at the magnificence of her banquet Cleopatra dissolved the priceless pearl in a glass of wine and drank it to demonstrate her indifference to riches.