The Cupid Seller c. 1783

This delicate jasperware plaque, made by the Wedgwood Manufactory, depicts a scene brimming with classical motifs. The most prominent of which is the figure of Cupid, the god of love, here multiplied and commodified. Cupid's image has taken many forms throughout history. Originally, he was depicted as a powerful, mature god. Over time, he has morphed into the cherubic figure we see here, a symbol of innocent desire. Note the cage, evoking both captivity and vulnerability. In ancient Pompeii, similar images adorned the walls of villas, a testament to love's enduring power. This Cupid seller, however, presents a twist—love as a transaction, a commodity to be bought and sold. This speaks to a modern sensibility, a world where even the most sacred emotions can be subject to market forces. The image of Cupid, once a symbol of divine love, now flits between desire and commerce, forever caught in the currents of cultural memory.