Covered Jar 1739 - 1775

This is a covered jar by Justus Brouwer, made in the 18th century. The jar's striking form immediately captures our attention. Its body swells gracefully, crowned by a lid with a sculptural dog finial. The floral decoration, rendered in delicate detail, sprawls across its surface, creating a dense, patterned field. Notice the interplay between the jar's shape and its ornamentation. The curving lines of the flowers and leaves echo the contours of the jar, reinforcing its sense of volume and solidity. At the same time, the intricate details of the floral motifs create a sense of surface complexity that challenges the jar's simple, geometric form. The addition of the dog finial introduces a playful element, disrupting the jar's otherwise formal composition. This juxtaposition of elegance and whimsy speaks to the decorative tastes of the 18th century, while its formal qualities continue to invite our gaze.