View full screen - View 1 of Lot 126. Cleopatra and the Pearl.

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.