Roman Dolphin Brooch, Bronze

Roman Dolphin Brooch, Bronze

Roman dolphin brooch, handmade from real bronze. The Roman jewel has a functional pin construction and is thus suitable for exhibition purposes, but also for daily use. The depiction is highly stylised, as is usual for brooches of this type.The replica is based on an original piece that was made available to us for reconstruction from an old private collection from the Rhineland. The original can probably be dated to the second century. The beautiful Roman dolphin brooch comes in a small jewellery case that shows off the high-quality craftsmanship.

The Dolphin In Antiquity

The dolphin had a significant role in ancient culture and mythology. In many ancient civilisations, the dolphin was seen as a symbol of freedom, protection and happiness, not only by seafarers.  In ancient mythology there is an interesting connection between dolphins, Cupid and Venus. Cupid, also known as Eros to the Greeks, was the god of love, while Venus was the goddess of love and beauty. Dolphins were often associated with these two deities.

A well-known story is that of Cupid and Psyche. Psyche was a mortal woman of whom Venus was jealous, as she was considered by many to be even more beautiful. Venus instructed Cupid to make Psyche fall in love with an ugly man. But when Cupid saw Psyche, he fell in love with her himself and whisked her away to his kingdom.

In some depictions of this story, Cupid is often accompanied by dolphins. Dolphins were seen as loyal and loving animals that had a connection to love. They were seen as messengers of love and were considered a symbol of joy and happiness. 

In addition, Venus was often associated with dolphins. In Roman mythology, she was often referred to as "Venus Marina", meaning "Venus of the Sea". Dolphins were seen as her companions and were considered her faithful companions.This connection between dolphins, Cupid and Venus shows the close relationship between love, beauty and the sea. The dolphins symbolise the joy and happiness associated with love, while Cupid and Venus represent the divine forces that guide love.

Overall, the connection between dolphins, Cupid and Venus is a fascinating element of ancient mythology that illustrates the meaning and beauty of love in various forms and manifestations. Overall, the dolphin played an important role in ancient beliefs and was considered a being of great significance and beauty.