Cupid in a bower 1760 - 1770

This porcelain Cupid in a Bower was crafted in the mid-18th century by the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory. Here, Cupid stands amidst a flowering bower, a tableau steeped in symbolism. The figure of Cupid, the Roman god of love, armed with his bow and arrow, has been a recurring motif since antiquity, embodying desire and affection. In this iteration, the bower of flowers—a veritable hortus conclusus—frames Cupid, evoking themes of love, fertility, and renewal. The flowers themselves are symbolic, each blossom whispering tales of passion and beauty. The image of a child-like Cupid is a motif that stretches back to the Hellenistic period, reappearing in Renaissance paintings and later in Rococo art like this piece. Such imagery invites viewers to ponder the powerful, often irrational, force of love and its impact on human affairs. This Cupid, cradled within the bower, engages our collective memory, stirring subconscious associations with innocence and the potent emotional states tied to love and desire. The cyclical nature of these symbols underscores their lasting impact on our shared cultural psyche.