Wedgwood Pottery (England, Est. 1759)
Neo-Classical ‘Marriage of Cupid and Psyche’ Brooch
white jasper bas relief, sage green jasper body, sterling silver mount
1 ¼” high x 1 1/8” wide
Description: Wedgwood sage green jasper pendant of oval form decorated with white jasper bas relief of the ‘Marriage of Cupid and Psyche’, set in a silver floral rope wreath mount and appropriately marked ‘WEDGWOOD’ ‘O’ and ‘Silver’ ‘PGS’. The miniature plaque dates to around 1860/1886 and may have been mounted at a later date, this was common with this silversmith.
Modelled after the ‘Marlborough Gem’ an ancient carved brown-hued sardonyx cameo carved between 50-25 BC depicting the Dionysiac initiation ceremony of Cupid and Psyche fused with the marriage rite. The public record first identifies its existence as being found in Sentinum, Italy in 1572 and thus passing through a serious of noble collections until its current home at the MFA Boston (99.101. Wedgwood first modelled this relic after James Tassie’s glass cast made under the permission of then owner George Spencer (1789-1817), 4th Duke of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace and the resultant plaque currently held by the VAM (414:1279-1885). John Flaxman would also reproduce this gem for Wedgwood in a larger format. First appearing in the 1779 catalogue its production has continued in varying formats to the present day.
(Sources: V&A, MFA Boston, Wikipedia)
Condition: Excellent
For Accuracy: an antique/vintage item it may show expected light signs of age.
