Juwelendozen, knoppen en ringen 1784 - 1796

This print, "Juwelendozen, knoppen en ringen," by Jean Baptiste Fay presents a collection of jewelry designs. Note the recurrence of circular motifs across various objects; in antiquity, the circle was a symbol of eternity and wholeness. Observe how Fay integrates the circle not just as a shape but as a thematic element, echoing in the patterns of boxes, rings, and other ornaments. We can trace this symbol across cultures, from ancient sun disks to the mandalas of Eastern traditions. The circle's endurance speaks to our collective unconscious, where it resonates as a representation of unity and cyclical time, continually resurfacing and adapting in response to evolving cultural needs, while maintaining its elemental power.