Saucer with a bouquet and flower sprays 1818

This saucer was delicately crafted at the Kaiserliche Porzellanmanufaktur, adorned with a bouquet and floral sprays. Here, the rose, a prominent motif, immediately evokes themes of love and beauty, deeply rooted in cultural memory. The rose’s symbolism is far from static; it is an image that reappears across centuries. In ancient Rome, it was associated with Venus, the goddess of love, yet in Christian iconography, it became linked to the Virgin Mary, signifying divine love and purity. This transformation reflects a complex interplay between pagan and Christian traditions, each layer adding to the flower's rich emotional tapestry. The presence of flowers taps into a collective subconscious, triggering feelings of joy and nostalgia. This floral arrangement invites us to consider how symbols evolve, adapt, and persist, engaging viewers in a continuous, cyclical dialogue.