This is a ravishing still life by one of America's premier painters in that genre. As the inscription, "Raphaelle Peale Dec. 24 1821," and the depicted objects indicate, this was almost certainly painted as a Christmas present for someone close to the artist. The elements in the painting are all expensive delicacies: an apple, orange, hazelnuts, currants, Twelfth Night cakes, cinnamon bay leaves, and wine.