Seal 1750 - 1770

Editor: This delicate porcelain figurine, "Seal," made around 1750-1770 by the Chelsea Factory, is so charming! The small scale makes it feel precious and intimate, and I’m struck by the details of the little figure. What does its imagery suggest to you? Curator: Indeed! Consider the Rococo era: that love of ornate detail, playful asymmetry, and lighthearted themes. Now, notice how the artist has chosen to represent Cupid. Is he launching an arrow? Brandishing his bow? No, he looks… thoughtful, reflective, perhaps even burdened. Editor: Burdens of love? I hadn’t considered that. He does look like he's pinching his nose as if pondering deeply. Curator: Exactly! This isn't just a depiction of love, but perhaps a commentary *on* love. The sash across his chest reading “armes d’amour," or “weapons of love” hints at love as conflict. How do we reconcile this idea of Cupid as both cherubic and burdened by his role? Editor: So, instead of a straightforward symbol, it embodies conflicting ideas. He's not just an innocent child but carries the weight of love’s complexities? Curator: Precisely. Consider this piece as a commentary on the perceived pains and complexities of love and how that tension gets resolved. Editor: I'm glad you pointed that out. Now, I won't just see a cute cupid; I'll remember its complexities. Curator: Symbols aren’t stagnant, they evolve over time. And our understanding must as well.