Covered Flagon with Chain c. 1750

This covered flagon with chain was crafted from pewter in the mid-18th century by Pierre Main. Chains, a prominent feature, have long served as symbols of connection, restraint, and status, stretching back into antiquity. Consider how chains appear in ancient Greek myths, binding Prometheus to the rock as punishment for his defiance, or how they adorn the necks of Roman emperors as symbols of power. In religious iconography, chains can signify spiritual bondage or, conversely, liberation from sin. The presence of a chain on a flagon, an object of domestic use, brings an interesting tension, hinting at the preciousness of its contents, perhaps even a sense of guardedness. Chains in art often evoke deep-seated emotional responses, triggering associations with freedom and oppression. This duality speaks to our collective subconscious, reflecting our ongoing struggle between control and autonomy. As such, the chain continues to resurface, evolve, and acquire new layers of significance.