Cupid with doves 1750 - 1765

This porcelain Cupid with doves was crafted around 1760 by the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory. The figure presents Cupid, the classical god of love, a motif that carries a rich symbolic load. Here, Cupid cradles two doves, ancient symbols of affection and peace, often associated with Aphrodite, Cupid's mother. The bow and arrow slung across his back are instruments of desire, capable of igniting love or inflicting heartbreak. We see Cupid not merely as a playful figure, but as an embodiment of powerful, often conflicting emotions. The image of Cupid has echoed through the ages, from classical sculptures to Renaissance paintings, each time adapting to new cultural contexts. This little porcelain figure, reflects our enduring fascination with love, desire, and the complex dance of human relationships, tapping into a deep well of collective memory.