Cupid Sailing, Modeled after a relief (1831) by Bertel Thorwaldsen, Ilsenburg, cast iron

Cupid Sailing

Modeled after a relief (1831) by Bertel Thorwaldsen, Ilsenburg

Second quarter of the 19th century

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Small white, soft-paste porcelain tea bowl of blanc de chine type with molded prunus decoration on the exterior.
Tall, elegant silver centerpiece resting on a flat, triangular base with concave sides and guilloche border, mounted on three delicately chased shell feet, the lower body of the centerpiece likewise of triangular form with two bands of guilloche molding and the cast and applied arms of the Earls of Coventry on all three long sides separated by individual molded scroll motifs on the short sides, supported by three dolphins with looped tails between heavy swags of fruit and flowers; on each angle of the lower body stands a female figure of caryatid type sculptured in the round and clad in a classically draped gown and sandals, facing outward, the figures hold in each hand the wand, or scepter, of Dionysus, one surmounted by a pine cone and the other by ivy leaves and berries, so that they form a criss-cross pattern with the wands, which are crossed and tied near the middle with large bows, in the center of the figures is a large round medallion, and resting lightly on the heads of the figures is a circular stand decorated with a frieze of scrolling foliage and flowers below a large bowl of open basketwork rising to a double-plaited edge with a band of guilloche. A glass liner (now missing) originally fit into the bowl.
Obverse: In the center a laurel wreath. Reverse: In the center a bundle of arrows.
Large Baroque garden vase of a deep, cobalt-blue (bleu persan), tin-glazed earthenware, of traditional vase shape with two heavy handles, each comprised of a molded, winged grotesque figure whose lower body terminates in outward flowing stylized foliage, the entire outer body of the vase highlighted with bluish-white overglaze enamel with a band of scrolling foliage under the lip and around the base and a band of lappets around the foot, each side of the body contains a central reserve painted with similar chinoiserie landscape scenes with two seated figures, exotic trees and foliage, and a group of temple-like structures, the reserves outlined by scrolling, stylized foliage; with three holes for drainage.