Pearlware Figure of Aphrodite & Eros, ‘Venus and Cupid’ Figure, circa 1790

The large pearlware early English pearlware figure of Venus or Aphrodite rests her left hand on a dolphin and her right hand holding the open part of her gown to cover Cupid, who rests next to his bow and quiver of arrows. They stand on a raised, grassy mound above a tall square base decorated with urns and hanging swags.

Dimensions: 10 ¾ inches high x 2 5/16 inches x 2 5/16 inches.

Aphrodite was the Olympian goddess of love, beauty, pleasure and procreation. She was depicted as a beautiful woman often accompanied by the winged godling Eros (Love). Her attributes included a dove, apple, scallop shell, and mirror. In classical sculpture and fresco, she was usually depicted nude.