Terracotta krateriskos (small mixing bowl) 300 BC

This terracotta krateriskos, or small mixing bowl, was crafted by the Group of Copenhagen 3817. Note the egg-and-dart pattern ringing its lip, a classical motif seen in architecture and pottery across the ages. This seemingly simple design carries a complex history, echoing through time in different forms and contexts. In ancient Greece, the egg symbolized life and rebirth, while the dart represented death—a visual dance between opposing forces. We see this tension echoed in funerary art, where life and death are interwoven. Consider how this motif reappears in Renaissance architecture, adorning cornices and friezes, or even in modern design, its primal symbolism persisting subconsciously. This krateriskos is not merely a vessel but a potent symbol—a reminder of the cyclical nature of existence, resonating within our collective memory.