Vintage Figural Cupid Charm
I don't want to bother you but I'm in distress.
There's danger of me losing all my happiness.
I love a man who doesn't know I exist.
And this you can fix.
- Amy Winehouse, Cupid
Gold figural charm (or pendant) depicting Cupid (or perhaps more likely, given he's not in cherub form, Eros). The Love God is running, mid stride, with his bow drawn back ready to loose one of his arrows. English hallmarks to the base date it to the year 1972, and it's built in solid yellow gold.
According to the classical myths, Cupid carried two types of arrow: gold-tipped and lead-tipped. Someone struck by a golden arrow is filled with an uncontrollable desire towards the person they next gaze upon, but if wounded by one of his lead arrows the victim feels aversion, repulsion, and the strong desire to flee. The tale of Apollo and Daphne is the classic example: Apollo upsets Cupid by calling him the lesser archer so Cupid shoots him with a golden arrow then, with a lead arrow, shoots Daphne, the object of Apollo's desire, thus sparking the two uncontrollable, yet opposing, urges.
The Kingis Quair, an Early Scots poem dating from the 15th century and attributed to James I, offers a slight variation. In it, Cupid's arrows come in three flavours: gold, for a gentle "smiting" that is easily cured; the more compelling silver; and steel, for a love-wound that never heals:
And with the first, that hedit is of gold.
He smytis soft, and that has esy cure;
The secund was of siluer, mony-fold
Wers than the first, and harder auenture;
The thrid, of stele, is schot without recure;
And on his long and jalow lokkis schene
A chaplet had he all of levis grene.
- Kingis Quair, xcv
Era: Vintage, 1972
Size: 20.6mm (without bail) by 11.2mm
Hallmarks: English, London, 9ct Gold, 1972, B LD Maker's Mark
Condition: Great vintage condition
Full appraisal document provided with each item.
This includes a valuation for insurance purposes, item specifics, date, and origins (where applicable).
Gemstones are tested by an accredited gemmologist (Cert GA, Gemmological Association of Great Britain).
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Layaway
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Condition
We offer detailed and accurate condition reports on each listing. These pieces are antique, vintage, or pre-loved and often over 100 years old so they're going to have lived a life. A healthy patina and the odd scuff/scrape are quite normal... it's part of their charm! Everything we present has been checked over by our jeweller and should be good for wear for many years to come (unless otherwise stated) but please remember to treat them with appropriate care and consideration for their age.
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