Plate c. 18th century

This pewter plate was crafted in the late 18th century by William Will. The circle, a form so seemingly simple, bears a weight of symbolism across epochs and cultures. Consider its presence in ancient solar discs, or mandalas, each echoing themes of unity, eternity, and the cosmos. The plate's circular form, therefore, connects us to these primordial concepts. It’s more than just a functional object; it's a vessel carrying profound cultural memory. In Jungian terms, the circle touches upon our collective unconscious, evoking a sense of completeness and continuity. Notice how the plate’s worn surface and subtle imperfections speak volumes. They remind us that objects, like images, accumulate layers of meaning and history through use and time. This simple plate, then, becomes a potent symbol of enduring human experience, a testament to how forms persist and transform across time, resonating with our deepest psychological archetypes.