Victorian, Gold Set Shell Cameo Brooch, England c. 1860

This unusual cameo shows an exciting motif that has its origins in the world of Greek mythology. In powerful cut the shell is used to present an episode from the life of Venus and Cupid. Many a great fortune, but also many a misfortune, is owed to these two personalities of the classical mythological world. The goddess of love Venus, responsible for the flourishing of love on earth, had 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 love arrows can also strike unplanned, accidentally and by mistake. His quiver holds projectiles with different kinds of tips for this purpose. One half of the arrowheads is made of gold, the other half is made of lead. Hit by a golden arrow, people ignite in the fire of love, penetrated by an arrow made of lead, they remain indifferent and unimpressed by the charms of another person. On our shell cameo we see the naked winged boy striding towards Venus with outstretched arms. The goddess of love sits on a rock and looks expectantly. Joyfully excited the little messenger of love seems and also the goddess seems to be confident! What are they up to? Is the god of love receiving a new mission? Whether here Venus gives the order to shoot an arrow, we do not know - but we hope of course for a projectile of gold. The cameo was probably cut in Italy in the years around 1860 and then given a red gold setting. The hallmarking reveals that it was made in England.

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