Cameos
MakerAttributed to
The Hartford Faience Co.
(founded 1895)
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
George Douglas Rankin Sr.
(American)
Date1911
MediumCast white and blue porcelain
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (diameter of each cameo): 2in. (5.1cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineGift of Margaret Rankin
Object number1986.160.3-.4
DescriptionTwo round cameos made of a light blue porcelain background with white porcelain relief decoration. The relief decoration consists of two women dressed in clingy, Grecian-inspired costume to the left. They are leaning toward the right, looking at a small boy with wings who is sitting on a rock. The boy holds a bow in his left hand and an arrow in his right hand. One of the women is leaning forward to touch the tip of the arrow. The back of both cameos is smooth, and bears the inscription ""Hartford"/ 1911".
Cameo (.3): This cameo has an imperfection to the left of the relief decoration, that appears to be a bubble that came through the porcelain during the manufacturing process. There is a chip on the rim to the right of the scene.
Cameo (.4): This cameo has three chips in the rim: one above, one to the lower left, and one to the lower right of the relief decoration. Several small bubbles, formed during the manufacturing process, are visible in the surface of the blue porcelain.
NotesSubject Note: The small winged boy holding the arrows is most likely the Roman god Cupid, known to Greeks as Eros. He was the son of Venus (Greek Aphrodite), the goddess of love. (Hudson 10/18/2004)Cameo (.3): This cameo has an imperfection to the left of the relief decoration, that appears to be a bubble that came through the porcelain during the manufacturing process. There is a chip on the rim to the right of the scene.
Cameo (.4): This cameo has three chips in the rim: one above, one to the lower left, and one to the lower right of the relief decoration. Several small bubbles, formed during the manufacturing process, are visible in the surface of the blue porcelain.
Historical Note: George Douglas Rankin, the donor's father, was the President of the Hartford Faience Company in Hartford, Connecticut.
Status
Not on view
