His aim was to facilitate a harmonious connection between art and archeology, and according to Ruskin's review of the work, by the standards of the day he succeeded. In order to ensure the authenticity of his depiction, Long made an extensive tour of Egypt and Syria in 1874-5, which he supplemented by a study of the exhibits in the British Museum. By transferring to the scale of the ill favoured the prices paid for the fair, beauty was made to endow ugliness, and the rich man's taste was the poor man's gain.'

Then the least plain was put up, and knocked down to the gallant who would marry her for the smallest consideration - and so on till even the plainest was got rid of to some cynical worthy, who decidedly preferred lucre to looks.

The greatest beauty was put up first, and knocked down to the highest bidder then the next in order of comeliness - and so on to the damsel who was equidistant between beauty and plainness, who was given away gratis. This was their wife-auction, by which they managed to find husbands for all their young women. 'Herodotus records one of their customs, which, whether in jest or earnest, he declares to be the wisest he ever heard of. Reputedly commissioned by the MP Edward Hermon for the substantial sum of GBP 1,700, it took its subject from George C. The previous year The Babylonian Marriage Market had been exhibited at the Royal Academy to rapturous reviews. An Ancient Custom was painted at the height of Long's career.

Edwin Longsden Long RA by Mark Bills