Comparison of the elegantly placed monogram and coronet of Ralph Earl of Montagu with that on Earth is evidence of design after his elevation to the earldom, confirming that this was one of the two 'fire pieces' supplied by Vanderbank in 1699. The 'E' was dropped from the monogram, although Montagu had married a second Elizabeth in 1692. Le Brun's design of Venus and Jupiter visiting Vulcan at his forge was extended in Vanderbank's workshop at left and right to fit a wider wall. In addition, the landscape at the right of the original design was expanded, moving the trophy away from the canon, and inserting two amorini from another tapestry.
BORDER borderless in 1914 (V & A cat.), the present border, similar to the other Elements but lacking Montagu's arms and with scenes of putti forging in both upper and lower border, may incorporate part of the border from the other 'fire piece'.
PROVENANCE woven 1699 in John Vanderbank's workshop to add to the three Elements already owned by Ralph Montagu; used in adjacent rooms at Montagu House as five peices of Elements (inventories MH1?, MH4, MH5). In the 1730s, called 'Vulcan at Work', moved to Chest no.1 'at the Newhouse'.