Gilt Bronze Jewellery Casket with Mythological Scene

French gilt bronze jewellery casket, late 19th century, of…
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French gilt bronze jewellery casket, late 19th century, of rectangular form with canted corners, the lid decorated with a mythological scene depicting Venus and cupid, the sides adorned with floral urns, raised on cast toupie feet, velvet lined interior, maker's stamp to underside, height 12.5 cm width 19.5 cm depth 16 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, QLD

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  • Cupid Motif - The Cupid motif, which features the Roman god of love and desire, Cupid, was a popular decorative element in classical ornamentation. Cupid was often depicted as a winged, naked baby with a bow and arrow, and was often used to symbolize love and desire.

    In classical art and architecture, Cupid motifs were often used as decorative elements on furniture, such as on the legs of chairs and tables, as well as on architectural elements such as friezes and pediments. They were also used as decorative elements in frescoes, mosaics, and other forms of art.

    During the Renaissance, Cupid motifs were often incorporated into the decoration of palaces, churches and other grand buildings, as they were seen as symbols of love and fertility. Cupid motifs were also commonly used in the decorative arts of the Baroque period, often appearing in the form of putti, which are small winged cherub figures.

    In addition to their decorative use, Cupid motifs were also believed to hold symbolic meaning, as they were thought to evoke feelings of love, desire, and fertility.
  • Canted Corners - In decorative arts, especially furniture making, a canted corner refers to a technique where the corner of the piece is angled or "canted" to create a diagonal corner. This is different from a chamfered corner which is a technique where the edges of a corner are cut at an angle, creating a diagonal edge or "bevel" along the corner.

    A canted corner is typically used to add visual interest to the item. It can be found in various styles of furniture such as contemporary, Art Deco, or traditional. It is often used to create a sense of movement and dynamism in a piece.

    Canting a corner is a more complex technique than chamfering, and it is typically done by tilting the corner of a piece of furniture and then cutting the wood to match the angle. It's a technique that requires precise measurements and a good understanding of angles and geometry, and it is usually done by experienced artisans.
  • Aphrodite / Venus - In Greek mythology, Aphrodite is the goddess of love, desire and beauty, whilst in Roman mythology she is called Venus.
  • Bronze - An alloy of copper and tin, traditionally in the proportions of about 9 parts of copper to 1 part of tin.

    The discovery of bronze in Western Asia in the 4th century enabled people to create metal objects which were superior to those previoulsy possible because of its strength and hardness, and it has been used throughout the world for weapons, coins, tools, statuary and other decorative items.

    It is very fluid in a molten state, and its hardness, strength when set, and non-corrosive properties makes it most suitable for casting sculpture.

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