On a bed of bright gold, a naked couple lies in
passionate embrace. Their actions are universal,
transcendent of time or culture, infinitely old and
as new tomorrow. The image is erotic, but in an
unblushing, life-affirming way. Its power is
undeniably, most essential communication
between two human beings. The original function
of this remarkable talisman is unknown. It may
have been an offering to ensure a fertile marriage,
a guardian of sexual potency, a gift between
lovers. Its precious gold hints at a noble owner.
The two winged monsters that guard the bed and
the female figures that support it suggest an
eastern origin, perhaps from Persia, or Greece. It
radiates with the perfume of life itself, mysterious
yet at the same time completely familiar.
- (FJ.0083)
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