c. 1910 - 1920
Vaas met oren van aardewerk, versierd met gestileerde bloemmotieven
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Curatorial notes
This earthenware vase, made by the Arnhemsche Fayencefabriek, is adorned with stylized floral motifs, a hallmark of its time. The stylized pinecone motifs, prominently displayed, are evocative of nature's bounty and the cycles of life and rebirth. These motifs echo the visual language of ancient Roman art, where pinecones were linked to Venus, symbolizing immortality. Similarly, the floral patterns remind us of the ‘horror vacui’—the fear of empty space—found in medieval tapestries, where nature fills every corner. The vase’s handles, gracefully arching, evoke a sense of containment and flow, stirring deep emotions through the vessel’s dynamic forms. This visual echo demonstrates the complex interplay between cultural memory and artistic creation, revealing how symbols evolve, adapt, and resurface across time, continually renewing their significance.