Meissen Porcelain, Love Series: Cupid Mailing a Love Letter with Love Bird C1870

A Meissen porcelain figure from the Love Series: Cupid Mailing a Love Letter with a Love Bird. Circa 1870, this piece epitomizes the finest quality in terms of craftsmanship, painting, and colors. In excellent condition, this absolutely beautiful creation showcases a finely painted chubby cupid with a gorgeously detailed face.

The cupid’s features include lovely clear blue eyes and curly hair, meticulously rendered with hand-painted strands in curls, displaying a rich chestnut brown hue. A powder blue ribbon adorns his head like a band. His wings, all aflutter on his back, reveal exquisite detailing in the form and hand-painted nuances of each feather.

Standing atop a highly naturalistic hand-painted ground, the cupid is surrounded by intricate foliate and a beautiful unfurling flower, while leaning on a meticulously rendered tree stump. Draped in a swath of lemon yellow fabric that billows out behind him, Cupid is poised with charm. In his left hand, he cradles a beautiful plump pink flaming heart, while his right hand proudly holds up high a delicately painted dove with wings outstretched, bearing a love letter tied about its neck and chest.

Adding to the cupid’s ensemble is a delicate pale pink and gilt sash, securing a khaki green gilt-trimmed quiver containing a finely painted trio of arrows in red, blue, and magenta. The cupid’s feet are intricately detailed, with each toenail visible and realistic toning in the flesh throughout his entire body.

The facial features of Cupid are truly sublime, with a beautiful flushed face and an expression that captures the essence of love. The blue and white crossed swords mark of Meissen is clearly present on the round gilt-banded base, attesting to the authenticity and prestige of this exceptional piece.