Kan met voorstellingen van de planeten c. 1581

This gilded silver ewer, crafted by Bartel Jamnitzer, is adorned with representations of the planets, reflecting the Renaissance fascination with classical mythology and celestial order. Note the recurring motif of the human face embedded within the ewer's design. These faces, often integrated into foliage or architectural elements, echo the ancient Greek concept of the "mask" – a symbol of transformation and the presence of the divine. Think of the masks worn in Dionysian rituals, where participants sought to embody the god through ritualistic drama. In Jamnitzer’s ewer, the faces invoke a sense of the uncanny, a reminder of the porous boundary between the human and the divine. This blurring of boundaries is a powerful force, engaging viewers on a subconscious level, stirring primal emotions and anxieties related to identity and mortality. Consider how these motifs have resurfaced in various guises throughout history. They reappear, evolve, and take on new meanings, attesting to the enduring power of symbols to capture the collective imagination across generations.