Victorian era 18K gold pearl enamel cupid riding a dolphin brooch
For sale a rare French work, Victorian era 18K gold brooch featuring a cupid / Eros riding a dolphin.
The panel has a rare red enameling background which makes the miniature painting very vibrant.
The impressive details showing on the painting is one of the reasons why we have a special love for the labor intensive and time-consuming craft of enameling: the waves of the sea, the vivid greenish gold color, making a visual relief on the scales of the dolphin, the pitchfork in the hands of the cupid…etc. The brooch is surrounded by 16 delicate white pearls on its sun like frame. It is mounted (hallmarked) in 18K yellow gold.
The motif of Eros riding a dolphin is known in Greek art from the middle of the 6th century BC. In Ancient Greek and Roman culture and mythology dolphins were associated with the sea and with the sphere of sensual love, bearing an amatory symbolism. Because of the assonance between the ancient Greek work Delphis, meaning dolphin, and the word delphus, meaning womb, dolphins were conserved animals sacred to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, fertility and desire.
Measurements and Condition
In overall good antique condition. No missing or crack on the enamel. Slight traces of use on the gold.
French eagle’s head hallmark for 18K gold on the pin of the brooch
The brooch measures 30mm in diameter
Weight: 6.8g
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