Schenkkan met rechthoekig lichaam 1657

This rectangular ewer was etched by Françoise Bouzonnet in the 17th century. The vessel is adorned with symbols harkening back to classical antiquity. Note the female figures that decorate either side of the vessel, reminiscent of Caryatids, and the face in a sun or flower-like halo. Such faces, evoking Apollo, the sun god, have appeared in various contexts across time and space, from ancient Greek pottery to Renaissance emblems. The association of faces with floral or solar motifs taps into primal human experiences of nature's life-giving forces, suggesting the cyclical rhythms of life, death, and rebirth. Even the elaborate handles looping upward might be seen as horns of plenty, symbols of prosperity. The repetition of such motifs speaks to a deep, subconscious human need to connect with these powerful forces. Bouzonnet’s ewer captures these symbolic threads, weaving together classical and contemporary elements. The image takes on new meanings as it resurfaces, evolving with the passage of time.