Gorringe's Auctioneers Fine Summer 2022

Lot 302
An important 18th century
Lombardy ebony banded
walnut and ivory inlaid twin
pedestal desk, the top and
sides inlaid with a scenes from
Homer’s Iliad, after original
drawings by John Flaxman
RA (1755-1826), within moulded
shaped ebony cartouches, fitted
with three frieze drawers over
hinged cupboards, inlaid with
allegories representing Hope
and Faith, on later castors. UK
APHA Registration of an ivory
item Submission reference:
D99UXPKP W.118cm D.61cm
H.82.4cm
£20,000 - 30,000
LOT ESSAY BY DR. ARABELLA
CIFANI
The scene is taken from a
drawing that the English
sculptor and draftsman, John
Flaxman(1755–1826), made to
illustrate the passages of Homer’s
Iliad, a commission proposed
to him in 1791 by Georgiana
Hare-Naylor while he was living
in Rome. Here is represented a
rare episode, with Polydamas, a
character from Greek mythology
soothsayer, adviser and valiant
warrior, friend and lieutenant of
Hector, who fought in the Trojan
War and who, in the twelfth book
of the Iliad, advises Hector not
to cross a dangerous moat that
was part of the defence at the
Achaean port and also advises
Hector not to continue the siege.
Hector will not listen to him and
will face death at the hands of
Achilles (Homer Iliad 12.60).
‘’Then verily Polydamus drew
nigh to Hector, and spake, saying:
“Hector, and ye other leaders of
the Trojans and allies, it is but
folly that we seek to drive across
the trench our swift horses; hard
in sooth is it to cross, for sharp
stakes are set in it, and close
anigh them is the wall of the
Achaeans.’’ Homer - Iliad 12.60