Siervaas met vrouwenkop 1751 - 1798

This is an anonymous rendering of a vase with a woman's head. The imagery here speaks to the power of symbols that travel through time. The vase itself, adorned with garlands and crowned with foliage, evokes classical antiquity, a period from which we inherit ideals of beauty, harmony, and order. Note the snake winding around the base. Since ancient times, the serpent has embodied duality; it symbolizes healing and wisdom, yet also embodies chaos and temptation. We can see the snake in the Greek myth of Asclepius, whose staff is entwined with a serpent. Consider how the image of a serpent, once linked to the idea of healing, is now used to signify danger. This interplay between creation and destruction speaks to the complex nature of symbols and their impact on our collective consciousness. The vase, a vessel of life, is guarded by this primordial symbol, reminding us of the cyclical nature of existence.