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Barnebys HQ
Brahegatan 10
BOX 5038
114 37 Stockholm
All auctions / Jewellery & Gems / Antique Cameo Gold Brooch With the So-Called "Cupid Dealer", c. 1845
"Of all beautiful goods, Driven to the market, None will be more pleasing, Than those we have brought you From foreign lands we bring. O hear what we sing! And see the beautiful birds! They are for sale." Who buys gods of love? Goethe asked this question in 1796 in his poem of the same name, and yet he did not really know how to answer it himself. With his verses, he was referring to a motif that fascinated people throughout the 19th century and gave rise to numerous artistic interpretations. We are talking about an ancient mural from the Villa Arianna in Stabia (see illustration), which shows women who appear to be dealing with little Erotes or cupids - probably for the benefit of those who need a little help in matters of love. The villa, which was located on the Gulf of Naples, was buried in 79 AD along with its magnificent furnishings during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, and it was not until 1759 that the remains were uncovered. This cameo from the 1840s is carved from shell and set in high-carat gold. It shows this scene, which was well known to every 18th century traveller to Italy. Goethe also wrote about it in his Italian Journey. The imagery of Roman antiquity gave rise to this little scene, which is as heartbreakingly funny as it is graceful and tells the following story: According to tradition, wealthy ladies of antiquity who had difficulty finding the right man or simply wanted to fall in love resorted to the help of little winged love helpers, which were available for purchase. In our scene, we see a female cupid dealer seated on the left, holding a small cupid by the wings. She has taken the love helper out of a playpen to present him appropriately. Cupid has already stretched out his little arms to begin his search and plunge his new owner into the ecstasy of a new, previously unknown love. Another little angel of love is still sitting in his enclosure. A third helper snuggles up to the customer's knee and a counselour stands by her side. With so much help, nothing can stand in the way of a new love! The brooch, which came to us from London, shows the scene in rich detail. The oval cameo is held by an elaborate gold setting with leaf ornaments, shells and spiral scrolls, typical of the early Victorian period. The brooch with its touching motif is a beautiful and amusing piece of jewellery that transports us to the imaginary world of antiquity.
Estimate:£1,520.47
To the auctionView all items fromHofer AntikschmuckorJewellery & Gems
Estimate:
£1,520.47
Paul Wunderlich (1927 Eberswalde - 2010 Saint-Pierre-de-Vassols) Ginkgo-Collier
07/17/2026
£1,872.17
Est: £1,909.55
OCT 8 | 3:00 PM
OCT 8 | 3:00 PM
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Paul Wunderlich (Eberswalde 1927-St. Pierre de Vassols 2010), a sterling
08/26/2025
£224.19
Est: £130.48
OCT 17 | 10:00 PM
