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Aphrodite sits upon a throne of rocks, or perhaps molluscs, while her son stands before her, a patera in his outstretched left hand, offering her a piece of fruit. In his lowered right hand he too, holds a wreath; this dual portrayal of wreaths may indicate that the mother and son have been represented in the midst of sanctifying or preparing a union of mortals, and that this is perhaps a matrimonially- inclined piece of fine ceramic. Aphrodite holds what appears to be a fan – or perhaps an ornate sceptre – in her right hand as if in benediction. Her hair is ornately arranged and a bird trailing ribbons across the sky hovers above her head. What appears to be the letter “M” above the duo is actually a fillet which was often worn draped around the head. The drapery has been expertly executed especially the textile hung over Eros’ arm and the ornate folded garments of his mother. They are surrounded by a ring of geometric waves, which is in turn surrounded by a white wreath of vine leaves that adds further to the matrimonial tone of the piece. On the back of the patera, Eros holds a tympanum.