Perseus and Andromeda: The Origin of Coral
c.1627RCIN 911984
Ovid’s Metamorphoses recounts that after saving Andromeda from a sea-monster, by petrifying the beast with the severed head of Medusa, Perseus flew to an island on his winged steed Pegasus. Whilst washing his hands there, Perseus put down Medusa’s head and her blood transformed seaweed into coral.
Acquired by Frederick, Prince of Wales, by 1750