Small cilindrical vase with two women and auspicious symbols c. 1680 - 1720

This is an overview of a small cylindrical vase with two women and auspicious symbols, made by an anonymous artist. The vase’s smooth, white porcelain is starkly contrasted by the cobalt-blue decorations, providing a window into the fusion of form and symbolism. The symmetrical design of the women and the centralised flower arrangement invites a structured reading, yet the flowing lines of the figures and plants introduce a dynamic rhythm that complicates any static interpretation. Considered through a semiotic lens, the auspicious symbols suggest a narrative beyond mere decoration, hinting at themes of prosperity or well-being. This aligns with structuralist ideas about uncovering underlying systems of meaning in cultural objects. The interplay between the vase's functional form and its decorative elements raises questions about the relationship between art and utility, aesthetics and ideology. Ultimately, the vase is not merely an ornamental object but a complex cultural artifact.