Cupid and Venus Appliqué 1805 - 1835

This small, gold-plated appliqué by Henry Kellam Hancock (1816-1851) depicts the Roman goddess Venus and the god Cupid. Cupid, with his signature wings, is shown reaching out to Venus, who is kneeling with her arms crossed over her chest. The scene is a classical reference to love and beauty, a theme frequently explored in art throughout the 19th century. This work, dating from 1805-1835, is a fine example of the neoclassical style that was popular at the time. The appliqué is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection in New York City, New York.