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Gold at The Queen's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse
This exhibition is in the past. View our current exhibitions.
JOHN FLAXMAN (1755-1826)

The Age of Silver and the Age of Gold

hallmark 1826/7

RCIN 51647

The plaques on this vase, designed by Flaxman, are based on descriptions in a poem by the Greek poet Hesiod, listing five ages of man, starting with gold and ending with iron. The Golden Age was considered to be a time of purity, peace and harmony. Each subsequent age brought a decline in the state of man. Gold therefore represented the ideal.

    The income from your ticket contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.