Moon flask with Aesthetic bird motif 1867

This is a Minton moon flask with an aesthetic bird motif, crafted from ceramic. The flask is a symphony of shape and symbol; a circular form, flattened to a disc-like essence, presents a study in contrasts. The matte, earthy clay provides a grounding counterpoint to the gilded, sun-like halo that cradles the avian figure. This bird, a feathered emblem of artifice, seems less a creature of nature and more a construct of the Aesthetic movement—its teal wings and copper crest are stylized and contained within the vessel's geometry. The bird is centered to draw the viewer's eye into the middle of the flask. Consider how the flask’s design marries East Asian influences with Western sensibilities, evident in the flattened perspective and decorative restraint. This piece is not merely functional; it invites contemplation on the intersections of art, culture, and the very structures of aesthetic value.