Smithy Cupid Appliqué 1805 - 1835

"Smithy Cupid Appliqué" is a small-scale, gold relief sculpture by Henry Kellam Hancock. The artwork depicts a winged cherub wielding a hammer and striking an anvil, a playful representation of a blacksmith. The cherub is depicted in a classical style, with a youthful, idealized form and a flowing drapery. The relief was likely part of a larger decorative object, such as a piece of furniture or a casket. This work demonstrates Hancock's ability to create intricate details within a small format and showcases the popular use of cherubic imagery in 19th-century American decorative arts.