These plaques depict scenes from mythology, including the Judgement of Paris. They may have been taken from a much earlier German casket of 1600-1700. According to Legend, Paris, a Trojan Prince, was asked to judge which of three Greek goddesses, Hera, Athene and Aphrodite, was the fairest. Each offered a different reward in line with their particular powers. Paris selected Aphrodite, and in return was given Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world. Their love affair started the Trojan War.

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world’s great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.