Pitcher c. 1815

This glass pitcher was crafted by the Waterford Glassworks, sometime between 1783 and 1851. Notice the wave patterns etched with care on the body of this object; these motifs are far from mere decoration. The wave, an archetypal image, appears across civilizations from the Minoan frescoes of ancient Crete to Hokusai’s woodblock prints. A symbol of flux, the wave embodies both the life-giving force of water and its destructive potential. Here, the repeated wave-like incisions create a sense of rhythmic movement, evoking the constant flow of time and the cyclical nature of existence. In the collective psyche, water is also seen as a metaphor for the subconscious. Consider how the wave has appeared across centuries, evolving from a representation of the untamed sea to a stylized symbol in decorative arts, yet always retaining its link to primal emotions. It serves as a potent reminder of the past. Its continued resonance confirms the enduring power of symbols to engage us on a subconscious level.