William IV Silver High Relief 'Cornelia Mother of Gracchi' Roman Scene Vinaigrette
Joseph Willmore, Birmingham 1834
Photo 1 of 21
A fine and unusual William IV silver Vinaigrette, of rectangular form with engine turned decoration to the base and sides, raised foliate borders and a high relief scene depicting 'Cornelia, Mother of Gracchi' to the lid, the silver gilt interior with finely pierced foliate scroll grille. Complete with original silk and velvet lined leather retailers case for Hamlet, Goldsmith & Jeweller To Their Majesties & Royal Family, Princes Street Leicester Square
By Joseph Willmore, Birmingham, 1834.
Sold - £3,750.00
Condition
In fine condition with no damage or repair.
Dimensions
H
12 mm
(0.47 inches)
W
39 mm
(1.54 inches)
D
25 mm
(0.98 inches)
Weight
27.00 Grams
(0.87 troy ounces)
Country
England
Stock Code
PT12
Medium
Silver
Literature
Cornelia was the highly cultured mother of the late 2nd-century bc Roman reformers Tiberius and Gaius Sempronius Gracchus. She was the second daughter of Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus Major, the hero of the Second Punic War (Rome against Carthage, 218–201). Cornelia married Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus and bore him 12 children. In addition to the two Gracchi brothers, the only child to reach maturity was Sempronia, who married Scipio Aemilianus.
After the death of her husband in 154, Cornelia remained unmarried, refusing even the hand of Ptolemy VIII Euergetes of Egypt. She devoted herself entirely to the education of her surviving sons. Although hostile propaganda later suggested that Cornelia had encouraged her sons to initiate “radical” reforms, other stories suggest that she exercised a restraining influence over them. After Gaius’ murder in 121 she retired to Misenum (now Miseno, Italy).
