The Origin of Painting: an important Thomas Webb and Sons cameo vase by George Woodall, circa 1887
In the form of a baluster jar or ginger jar, overlaid in opalescent white and carved through to the brown glass beneath, the figure subject representing the mythical story of Fielea and Ariston, Cupid encouraging the maiden to sketch the outline of the shadow cast on the wall so she would have a permanent reminder of her Corinthian lover's youthful beauty, the light provided by a torch set in a hanging lamp suspended from the loop and sprig border around the shoulder of the jar, a band of deeply-cut stiff leaves at the base, the reverse with a dramatic foliate scroll motif terminating in the head of a panther, signed G Woodall, 24.5cm high, etched mark Thomas Webb & Sons Gem Cameo