Red and white floral pattern moon flask 1880

This moon flask, of undetermined date, made by Minton(s), dazzles us with its intricate red and white floral patterns. The dominant motifs are the chrysanthemum and the plum blossom, both symbols of resilience and longevity in East Asian art. These motifs are not merely decorative. The chrysanthemum, often associated with autumn, represents perseverance. Similarly, the plum blossom, which blooms in winter, embodies hope and renewal, and its presence on the flask echoes across cultures and centuries, recalling similar floral motifs in ancient Greek pottery or Renaissance tapestries, each imbued with symbolic weight. Consider how the plum blossom, originally a Chinese symbol of resistance against adversity, has traveled through time, appearing in various contexts, its core message of resilience remaining intact, yet subtly altered by each new cultural landscape. The flask's emotional power lies in its ability to tap into our collective memory, reminding us of the cyclical nature of life and the enduring human spirit.