Venus and selling Cupid Brooch

This item is handmade by Beth Miller Hall and cast from a mold taken from an original in her collection. Any minor flaws are consistent with the original item.

Vulcanite was patented in the United States by Charles Goodyear in 1839 and a second harder version was patented by Nelson Goodyear (his brother) in 1851. It was also patented in England about the same time. Items made of vulcanite and gutta-percha were molded and therefore a large number of duplicate items could be produced in less time and with fewer individual craftsmen than it took to produce jewelry items from jet. This “mass production” allowed the price of vulcanite jewelry to become more affordable than “handmade” jet pieces. Many pieces of vulcanite items have survived since the 1800's and they have become highly collectible.

Most vulcanite jewelry items are made in two pieces: a back or base that can be either plain or have an ornate edge and the center medallion or focal point. The focal point is usually secured to the base with small pegs that do not go all the way through the base of the item. Sometimes there is also evidence of glue being used in addition to the pegs, but this may be from a later repair. The pin mechanism for a brooch is attached on the back of the base and the point of the pin stem usually extends past the edge of the brooch base.

Because vulcanite jewelry was made in two pieces, it is very common to find the same top or focal point being used on a variety of bases. There seems to be a number of very popular tops that show up very often and not only on brooches but other bases like cuff bracelets, combs and selling even belt buckles. This leads to speculation that vulcanite items could have been sold in sets.

Different tales exist on the origin of Venus and Cupid. One says that Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, had a love affair with Mars, the god of war. Out of this relationship, Cupid was born. Cupid has attributes from both of his parents - like his mother he is considered to be the god of love, or more precisely the god of falling in love. He also is seen with bow and arrows that he shoots to the heart and thereby awakens love that one can't resist.

This brooch illustrates the striking connection between Venus and Cupid which has been the subject of many artworks throughout the centuries. No love is stronger than the love between mother and child. Venus and Cupid are often shown in tender situations reflecting this love. In the some paintings, Cupid is sitting on Venus' lap and holding on to her neck. Both kiss each other in many depictions.

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Thank you for your interest!