SILVER SALVER

This Salver was commissioned from silversmith John Edward Terry. The artist drew the artefact describing an allegory of the four elements, represented by four main figures and as many stories narrated on the edge. Fire is represented by Zeus, air by Aeolus, water by Neptune and earth by Ceres. The stories are as follows: a chariot drawn by Zeus with lightning, thunderbolts and a volcano erupting lava; a beautiful scene of cherubs playing with soap bubbles and Aeolus moving the air. This is followed by a scene animated by tritons, horses and sea monsters; the last depiction shows a series of cherubs ploughing the land and harvesting wheat and grapes. The centre of the salver is engraved with an aristocratic coat of arms with a motto, surrounded by four cartouches chiselled with motifs that can be traced back to the four elements: two torches for fire, four butterflies for air, shells to represent water and the cornucopia represents the abundance of the earth. Further research may reveal the preparatory drawings for such a complex subject. Total weight 186.4 oz., 2.3x25.1x25.1 in