Current Location: In storage
Titles
Adam and Eve and the Tree of Knowledge
Maker(s)
Production:
Unknown
(Possibly)
Entities
Categories
Description
Tin-glazed earthenware figures of Adam and Eve standing beside the Tree of Knowledge painted in enamels
Earthenware, press-moulded, tin-glazed, and painted in olive-green, yellow, yellow ochre, brown and black enamels. The figures are supported on a shallow, oblong base with rounded ends which is partly open and glazed underneath. At the back it has large rock with twin summits dabbed with all the colours, and a yellow ochre and brown tree trunk with three short branches at the top. The top of the base is also dabbled with all the colours, and across the front is the title painted in black, 'LE Paradis terreste'. The nude figures of Adam and Eve stand in front of the rock. He has long black hair, a moustache, and beard, and holds a small branch with two leaves in front of his genitals. Eve has very long yellow ochre and brown hair some of which she holds in front of her body to hide her nakedness. An olive-green serpent slithers up behind the tree and peers over a short branch beside Eve's left shoulder. An open yellow fruit and a leaf lie on the ground beside the tree. Both Adam and Eve look glum, as if aware that taking a bite of the now discarded fruit was a mistake which would result in their expulsion from Paradise.
Notes
History note: Madame Gough, 23 rue des Pierres, Bruges, from whom purchased for 75 francs on 12 June 1912 by Dr J.W.L. Glaisher, FRS, Trinity College, Cambridge
Legal notes
Dr J. W. L. Glaisher Bequest
Measurements and weight
Height: 28 cm
Acquisition and important dates
Method of acquisition: Bequeathed
(1928-12-07)
by
Glaisher, J. W. L., Dr
Dating
18th Century, Late
19th Century, Early
Circa
1775
-
1820
Note
The attribution to Lille rests on the the assertion by the vendor to Dr Glaisher that the group was made there.
People, subjects and objects depicted
Components of the work
Surface
composed of
tin-glaze
( including the base, and interior of the rock)
Decoration
composed of
enamels
( olive-green, yellow, yellow ochre, brown, and black)
Base
Depth 14.3 cm
Length 27 cm
Materials used in production
Earthenware
Techniques used in production
Press moulding
: Earthenware, press-moulded in parts, assembled, tin-glazed, and painted in olive-green, yellow, yellow ochre, brown, and black enamels; on the underside of the base the glaze has developed circular craters during firing
Inscription or legends present
- Text: LE Paradis terreste
- Location: On front of base
- Method of creation: Painted in black enamel
- Type: Inscription
References and bibliographic entries
Identification numbers
Accession number: C.2384-1928
Primary reference Number: 73421
Old object number: 3564
Stable URI
Audit data
Created: Saturday 6 August 2011
Updated: Tuesday 12 August 2025
Last processed: Tuesday 26 August 2025
Associated departments & institutions
Owner or interested party:
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department:
Applied Arts
