The Tallis Estate

The Tallis Estate is the scene of the novel's first part, located in the Surrey Hills in southeast England. It was built grandly in the 1880s and more prosaically after a fire in 1930. Two bridges lead over a lake, where a dilapidated decorative temple stands in the center that young Briony considers her domain. A fountain, visible from Briony's upstairs window, is the site of an encounter between Cecilia and Robbie that Briony misinterprets, leading to the tragedy of Robbie's arrest for rape. By 1999, the estate has been sold and converted into a hotel and golf course. It is the site of the Tallis family's celebration of Briony's 77th birthday.

The Vase

The vase is an authenticated Meissen piece, painted by Höroldt in 1726 and almost certainly owned by King August. The vase stands apart from the worthless pieces in the Tallis home. Uncle...