Pendant with Cupid firing an arrow

“No one walks away unscathed from the wound of love.” This line comes from Propertius’ elegy In praise of love and this pendant faithfully attests to the revival of the antique cult of Venus and love as conveyed by the Humanists in the Renaissance period. Eros from the Hellenistic period is mentioned as the mischievous child of Aphrodite, and it was at this point that the quiver, bow and arrow became his characteristic attributes. Romans honoured him with the names Amor (Love) and Cupido (Desire). “A pendant made in the form of Cupid, with diamonds, emeralds, rubies and pearls” – reads the description in the inventory taken after the death of Krisztina Nyary (1604–1641), second wife of count Miklós Esterházy (1583–1645). She probably received the piece in 1618, as a wedding gift from her first husband, count Imre Thurzo (1598–1621). Such “meaningful” jewels as expressions of love and devotion were common presents at aristocratic engagements. Those who wore them were endowed with the attributes of Venus, goddess of beauty and love. This contributed to the popularity of Cupid pendants. Several similar pieces are known in various collections (for example in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Hermitage, St. Petersburg) and from contemporary depictions. Seventeenth-century Hungarian aristocratic inventories often mention similar pieces.