Ewer c. 1745

This Ewer was made by Real Fabbrica della porcellana di Capodimonte in the mid-18th century. It evokes a mythological seascape. The shell form of the ewer, crowned with gold, suggests the opulence of marine treasures. The handle and base of the ewer are adorned with vibrant coral, a symbol deeply rooted in the iconography of the sea. Coral as a motif is not isolated to this ewer. In Renaissance art, it appears in depictions of the Madonna and Child, acting as an amulet of protection. This symbolism has roots extending further back to ancient Roman beliefs, where coral was believed to ward off evil. The persistence of coral as a symbol across eras reveals how cultural memory operates. It is a visual echo that resonates through time, adapting to new contexts while retaining its primeval power. This beautiful ewer, therefore, is not merely a vessel, but a potent symbol that has surfaced and resurfaced in various forms throughout history.