Paons et pavots, bordure. Grondins, algues et coquilles, plat en émail cloisonné. 1897

Maurice Pillard Verneuil crafted this cloisonné enamel piece depicting peacocks, poppies, fish, algae, and shells. The peacock, a symbol of vanity and pride since antiquity, flaunts its plumage across cultures. Think of Juno's chariot, drawn by peacocks, or the bird's association with immortality in Persian lore. Here, the peacock is juxtaposed with poppies, symbols of sleep and oblivion, echoing ancient Greek associations with Hypnos, the god of sleep. Observe how these motifs reappear, intertwined, in patterns across various epochs, from Renaissance textiles to modern wallpapers, each time subtly shifting in meaning. The watery depths, populated by fish and shells, evoke the subconscious, a primal realm of instincts and desires. This piece beautifully illustrates how symbols evolve, regress, and resurface, shaped by collective memory and the currents of cultural transmission.