Beaker 1787

This glass beaker was created by Johann Joseph Mildner in the late 18th century. Observe the laurel leaf motifs that adorn the rim of the glass, and the golden rays emanating outwards from the portrait, framing the figure. Such laurel wreaths are not mere decoration, they carry echoes of ancient Rome, where they signified triumph and imperial glory. Here, they surround what seems to be an aristocratic figure, likely a symbol of power, and prestige. We can trace this symbol of power even earlier, to ancient Greece, and see how it re-emerges throughout history in various forms and contexts, adorning emperors, gods, and heroes. The laurel wreath and portrait serve as a potent, psychological anchor, linking the present with the past, and evoking an emotional response tied to notions of authority and admiration, a testament to the enduring power of symbols. They are a non-linear, cyclical progression, evolving and resurfacing in different historical contexts.