Pendant
1675-1700 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This jewel celebrates the pain of love. At its centre is an enamelled figure of Cupid with a heart in each hand set against a panel of woven hair. Around this, in curling gold wire is written a line from the 6th-century Greek poet Anacreon's Ode XL. Written in French, still regarded as the language of love, it pronounces 'JE ME MEURS MA MERE' (I am dying, Mother) - a cry to Venus from the god of love.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Gold, enamel, rock crystal, silver and hair under glass |
Brief description | Gold pendant, with rock crystals set in silver, an enamelled Cupid against a roundel of plaited hair, and inscribed JE ME MEURS MA MERE, probably England, 1675-1700 |
Physical description | Gold pendant edged with rock crystals set in silver, an enamelled Cupid against a roundel of plaited hair under glass, and inscribed in gold wire work JE ME MEURS MA MERE ('I am dying, Mother' - a translation of a line in Anacreaon' Ode XL,, probably from a version by Mathurin Régnier). The reverse is enamelled with a floral design. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | inscribed JE ME MEURS MA MERE (A translation of a line in Anacreon Ode XL, probably from a version by Mathurin Regnier)
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Credit line | Bequeathed by Frank Ward |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This jewel celebrates the pain of love. At its centre is an enamelled figure of Cupid with a heart in each hand set against a panel of woven hair. Around this, in curling gold wire is written a line from the 6th-century Greek poet Anacreon's Ode XL. Written in French, still regarded as the language of love, it pronounces 'JE ME MEURS MA MERE' (I am dying, Mother) - a cry to Venus from the god of love. |
Collection | |
Accession number | M.21-1960 |
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Record created | July 18, 2006 |
Record URL |
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