in the form of Cupid riding the back of a dove, its elongated tale enclosing the scene, decorated with fletching to evoke an arrow, holding a single pearl in its feet.
Length: 4.1cm
Illustrated
No.117 (pg 118) of ‘From Function to Fantasy, The Brooch: 1200BCE to the Contemporary’ (London, 2025).
The motif is based on Hellenistic prototypes, and earrings representing a similarly wingless Cupid riding a dove form part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection; the arched shape forms the earring hoop and terminates on Cupid’s head. In ancient art and mythology, this theme was a representation of love’s gentle nature, the dove being associated with peace and purity. The imagery has sometimes been interpreted as Cupid attempting to subdue the dove (often associated with Venus) with silken cords.
Castellani’s apprentice, the highly skilled Giacinto Melillo (1845-1915), also interpreted this motif; earrings of similar composition attributed to the goldsmith form part of the jewellery collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.