3-008-755 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Top of Elkington's silver repoussé table, in the International Exhibition, 1862. 'This work, the ornamental portion of which was designed and executed by Morel Ladeuil, is intended to portray the poetical influences of sleep...The composition on the top of the table is entirely of female figures...divisible into three separate tableaux...Victory has the prominent position in the Soldier's Dream; she bears the palm-leaf in her right hand and the Book of History in her left; and is followed by Fame, who sounds her trumpet; Glory, with the myrtle and military rewards, stretches forth her hand to crown the victor. The Minstrel dreams of what he sings: Love, in the figure of an eastern beauty, surrounded by Cupids; Melody, with the lyre, and robed with music; Folly, with her cap and bells; and Fortune, who, kneeling on her emblematical wheel, scatters gold...The third dream is that of the Agriculturist; and is one of Peace and Plenty. The figures bear offerings of the fruits of the earth, intertwined with flowers; a Bacchante also holds the winecup to receive the juice of the grape; following in the train is a Cupid, bearing the no less important wheatsheaf. This group is completed by a figure bearing a cornucopiae, emblematic of abundance'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.