• Material: Sardonyx Shell, 15k gold tested.
• Size:  2 2/8" by 2" only cameo is 2" by 1 6/8"
• Date and Origin: Circa 1860 Italy.
• Conditions: A few slight internal shell lines not visible by naked eye, visible when cameo is backlit. The white spot on the top of the cameo is NOT a defect, usually the shell becomes white when an area is exposed to the fire (used in the past to solder the frame) in this case is just the natural striped color of the shell as there is NOT any trace of soldering on the frame and the white color can be also seen at the bottom of the cameo, under Cupid's elbow. The circular spot that can be seen when the cameo is backlit is just a sort of shell limestone I think stands there because, perhaps, the shell was not polished on that point. That spot is not visible from the front.

 
Museum Quality cameo depicting a very rare subject, it is Cupid depicted like a little boy pointing a butterfly. His little puffy  body is magnificently made. His finger pointing the butterfly who represents Psyche his future wife and Goddess of the soul. His expression is playful and sly and he's smiling. His curly hair are strangely long and magnificently carved and touches his wings which are superbly carved too. His round face is pure poetry and look how he's looking directly the butterfly, just as he wanted to speak with her. His small and perfect nose, his round cheek and his mouth are perfect and give him his sweet and natural expression This is the first time that I see this subject. A real work of art. The carving is high relieved. The frame is another work of art, wonderfully worked with gold beads and very heavy. Another rarest piece to not to miss for all the enthusiast cameos collectors.
 
A bit of History:

Eros in Greek mythology,  Cupid for the Romans, was the primordial god of sexual love and beauty. He was also worshipped as a fertility deity. His Roman counterpart was Cupid ("desire"), also known as Amor ("love"). In some myths, he was the son of the deities Aphrodite (Venus) and Ares (Mars).  He was the one lighted the flame of love in the hearts of the gods and men, armed either with a bow and arrows or else a flaming torch. He was also the object of cult. Eros was often portrayed as a child, the disobedient, but fiercely loyal, son of Aphrodite.In ancient vase painting Eros is depicted as either a handsome youth or as a child. His attributes were varied: from the usual bow and arrows, to the gifts of a lover--a hare, a sash, or a flower. Sculptors preferred the image of the bow-armed boy, whereas mosaic artists favoured the figure of a winged putto (plump baby).