It related directly to the relief 'Scandal' that hung above the fireplace, a humourous reference to the couples earlier 'menage à trois' with a writer. At the back of the fire basket, two snarling cats are depicted hiding behind female masks to signify the 'double face' and 'cattiness' of society gossip. In the centre is a macaw, a satire on the idea of 'parroting' phrases without thought for content or meaning.

Provenance

Commissioned by Henry and Gwen Mond, Lord and Lady Melchett; by descent in the Melchett family until 1982; ....