Saucer with Hymen flying above a courting couple in a landscape c. 1765 - 1770

This decorative saucer depicts a courting couple in a landscape, with a flying Hymen, the god of marriage, above them. It was created by an anonymous artist. This object exists within a complex history of love, marriage, and societal expectations. The figures are depicted in what appears to be a pastoral setting, a popular theme which idealized rural life, contrasting it with the perceived artificiality of court life. But this artifice flattens the lived experience of the working class. Marriage, of course, historically had less to do with love and more to do with property and lineage. Who gets to marry whom, when, and how are all crucial questions. The cupid-like figure of Hymen, usually depicted as a winged boy, adds a layer of classical allusion. The image suggests an alignment of earthly love with divine approval. The image invites us to consider the rituals, expectations, and power dynamics embedded in courtship and marriage. It is a reminder of the historical and cultural forces that shape our understanding of love and relationships.