Flagon 19th century

Editor: Here we have a “Flagon,” an ornate metal vessel created by Elkington & Co. sometime in the 19th century. The gilding is striking. What kind of story do you think the images on the flagon are telling? Curator: Look closely at the details – the entwined foliage, the mythological beasts, the scallop shells. These aren’t just decorative flourishes; they are echoes of a specific visual language rooted in the Baroque. Do you notice the recurrence of particular motifs? What do you think the dragons might symbolize? Editor: Power, maybe? Or protection? Dragons always seem pretty fierce to me. Curator: Yes, perhaps, but think further. Dragons, as symbols, weave in and out of cultures across centuries. In some, they represent chaos and destruction, but also protection and even wisdom. And consider the context – this isn't a painting; it’s a functional object. What liquid was intended for the flagon, do you imagine? Editor: Wine? Maybe something ceremonial, given all the gold. If it’s wine, does the dragon change meaning somehow, become celebratory, like a toast? Curator: Exactly! Now, how does knowing that alter your experience of the visual symbols? Visual culture acts as a language – sometimes direct, but often layered with multiple meanings based on use and tradition. And it might reflect not only the hopes and status of the patron but also the aspirations of the culture from which they hail. What a fascinating object. Editor: It makes you think about all the potential symbolic links to its owners and the drink contained inside. Curator: Absolutely, a cultural memory.