Venus and Cupid on Gold Set Shell Cameo, Italy/England c. 1890

This unusual cameo features a witty motif that has its origins in the world of Greek mythology. In very nice, powerful cut, the shell of a mollusc is used to present a theme of antiquity, varied again and again: A scene from the life of Venus and Cupid. Many a great fortune, but also many a misfortune, is owed to this couple of the classical mythological world. The goddess of love Venus, born from a shell and responsible for the flourishing of love on earth, has a little helper, the god of love Cupid. Cupid shoots arrows at people with a small bow - and he usually does this blindfolded, so his arrows can also strike unplanned, accidentally and by mistake! His quiver holds arrows with different kinds of tips - half of the arrowheads are made of gold, the other half are made of lead. Hit by a golden arrow, people inflame in the fire of love, penetrated by a lead arrow, you remain indifferent and unimpressed by the charms of another person. On our shell cameo we see the naked winged boy with outstretched arms. Next to him and far taller than the little love helper, we see the airily dressed Venus playing the lyre. Presumably she teaches the boy love songs. The brooch is simply set in 9-karat rose gold, the setting having been made in England, while the cameo was probably made in Italy. Because of the motif, this decorative piece is almost a must for any collection of mythological cameos. It found its way to us from a Berlin collection.

Estimate:£423.01

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