Object Description
An early 20th century neoclassical plaster relief panel depicting the marriage of Peleus and Thetis after the antique, indistinctly marked to the bottom right corner.
This decorative antique panel, which comes with a wire attached to the top for wall hanging, depicts the Greek hero, Peleus, with torso bear, reaching his right arm to clasp the hand of the sea nymph, Thetis, who wears a veil and is guided by another lady who looks behind her to the left. Dating to circa 1900, the relief has an appealing distressed finish that give it a timeworn look, making a beautiful decorative piece of Greco-Roman inspired history for the walls of your home.
A painting of this exact scene by Robert Fagan forms part of the National Trust’s collection at Attingham Park, Shropshire. It is after an Italian terracotta relief that can be found in the Campana Collection of the Louvre, Paris.
According to ancient Greek mythology, Peleus married Thetis, inviting all gods except the goddess of discord, Eris. Attending anyway, Eris wrought havoc at the wedding, setting in motion a string of events that led to the Trojan War. Peleus and Thetis went on to have a son named Achilles who would become the strongest warrior hero of the Trojan War.