A PAIR OF ENGLISH PAINTED DEEP-RELIEF CARYATIDS

Prudence and Temperance are two of the four Cardinal Virtues, the others being Justice and Fortitude. Used in architectural features such as mantelpieces and panelling, the four Virtues were often incorporated in funerary sculpture. Prudence is represented by a hand-mirror and a serpent, and Temperance by two jugs in which she mixes wine and water. St Augustine described the virtues 'Temperance is love giving itself entirely to that which is loved; Prudence is love distinguishing with sagacity between what hinders it and what helps it'