Early Victorian High Carat Cameo Ring Depicting Cupid Playing With A Butterfly
 
Charming ring with a carved oval cameo depicting a seated cherub playing with a butterfly.
 
The allegory here is Cupid and Psyche. Cupid is portrayed as a naked, adolescent whose sole attributes are his short wings. He seems to be engrossed in an innocent pastime. His amusement is not as harmless as it seems, though; the butterfly allowing itself to be seduced cupid symbolizes the soul, Psyche in Greek. Imprisoned by Cupid, the soul soon experiences love's torments rather than its pleasures. 
 
The cameo is set in a rosey gold simple setting with split shoulder shank. The shank has been added onto the piece at a a later date. Formally it probably was a brooch or pin.
 
The gold tests as 15 carat 
 
Condition: Good - see photos which form part of the description
 
Size - 8 and can be sized
 
weighs - 5.2g
 
face measures - 19mm x 17.4mm
 
stone measures 16.5mm x 13.9mm
 
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