French antique spelter figure of Cupid, approx. 60 cm high
click the photo to enlarge
French antique spelter figure of cupid, approx. 60 cm high

You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.

Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item

When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
  • Spelter - Spelter was the name given to an alloy of zinc and brass or copper used in the 19th century for statuary and lighting. It is a brittle bluish-white metal. It was used as a cheap replacement for bronze, but being brittle easily breaks and can't be repaired. When finished it can often be mistaken for bronze, but if discreet a scratch on the base displays shows a greyish colour, the metal is spelter, if a golden colour the metal is most likely bronze.
  • 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.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Visually similar items

A Papua New Guinea figure of a warrior. Height 88 cm. (a/f)

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

French bronze boy scribe with folio and pen, with factory marks and signature to base, inscribed on tablet international Philatelic Exhibition Monaco 1928 awarded to J.A.A.Agnew, height 31 cm approx

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

Louis Moureau, 'Les Signal' bronze, signed to cast 'Louis Moureau', height 140 cm. Provenance: Orlando Brown Collection, Mosman

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

Tall antique French spelter figural light, approx 96 cm high

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.