An extremely rare survival of an enchanting naïve 17th century watercolour on hand-made paper depicting Adam and Eve in Paradise. Eve is seen taking the apple from the serpent surrounded by birds, animals, insects and reptiles – all living in perfect harmony. Although many of the animals are charmingly out of scale they are all real, apart from the mythical unicorn, symbol of innocence and chastity and here to emphasise the purity before the Fall. Above is the sun and the moon with a gold cloud to the centre containing the mirror image date 1660, facing God. The whole piece is inscribed below ‘the Serpent’s Temptation or the Fall of our First Parents’. In a period frame with original faux paint. English, 1660.

Height: 63.5cm (25 inches)

Width: 76cm (30 inches)