Notes and Queries, Number 56, November 23, 1850

Delve into a fascinating slice of 19th‑century scholarship, where curiosities and antiquarian sleuthing meet vivid storytelling. In this installment, readers are guided through the mysterious portrait hanging in Combe Abbey’s long gallery—a delicate, flower‑crowned maiden clutching an opulent gold horn, her image accompanied by a cryptic Latin inscription. The note unpacks the artwork’s provenance, linking it to Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia, and tracing the legend of Count Otto of Oldenburg, whose fateful hunt on a scorching July day leads him to an otherworldly damsel offering a horn filled with a strange liquid.

The narrative weaves together art history, folklore, and genealogical intrigue, inviting listeners to imagine the moment the count, wary yet captivated, examines the shimmering horn while his horse’s mane mysteriously reacts to a stray drop. As the tale unfolds, the ancient relic’s journey from a mountain encounter to a treasured family heirloom hints at the enduring power of myth to shape identity and memory. This scholarly yet accessible exploration promises a rewarding auditory experience for lovers of history, legend, and the occasional enigmatic artifact.