Meissen porcelain antique group of Venus and Cupid

This fine porcelain group is by Meissen, one of the leading porcelain manufacturers in Europe since its foundation in the early eighteenth century. The group depicts Venus and Cupid, but does so in a manner that recalls the Madonna and Child, and stresses the more human rather than godly aspects of the pair. Venus sits on a rockwork base decorated with applied leaves and flowers, with her robe—parcel gilt with flowers—over her legs. She holds Cupid aloft, his hands on her face. Cupid wears a turquoise cloak and sports gilt wings.

The underside features a faded underglaze blue crossed swords mark for Meissen.