Renaissance Gold Pendant with Agate Gemstone of Cupid

ITALY, LATE 16TH-EARLY 17TH CENTURY A.D.

3 in. (13.53 grams, 75 mm).

Cupid shown standing amid the vegetation, his wings and arms spread and holding two short staffs in his hands, clouds and the sun above; set in a gold frame with a conical pendant drop below; supplied with a museum-quality impression.

Provenance

Acquired on the European art market.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13341-257981.

Literature

Cf. two similar examples in the British Museum, bequeathed by Sir Hans Sloane in 1753, museum nos.SLBCameos.4 & SLBCameos.138; AG Wien III, 2703.

Footnotes

The cameo shows a Cupid in the same style as the one in the British Museum Sloane collection. Cupid was a very popular motif in 17th-century Italian artistic production. The presence of Cupid on the cameo implies amorous attachment, or sometimes, amorous conflict. The cameo shows a sophisticated atmosphere, relayed in the brown and grey colours.

CONDITION

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LOT 0392