Cup 1760 - 1780

This delicate porcelain cup, made by Hirasa, is adorned with an array of floral motifs, each carrying its own historical and cultural weight. The chrysanthemums, symbols of longevity and rejuvenation in East Asian art, dominate the scene. In ancient Greece and Rome, similar floral motifs were intertwined with narratives of gods and heroes, adorning ceramics and textiles. Consider the laurel wreath, an emblem of victory and honor, reappearing across millennia. The chrysanthemum, however, has a unique trajectory. Its symbolism evolves from representing nobility in ancient China to embodying the imperial family in Japan. Through time and across cultures, it mirrors the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, tapping into our collective memory. This cup, therefore, is more than just a drinking vessel; it is a receptacle of cultural memory, where symbols converge and evolve, engaging our subconscious on a profound level.