Crock 1940

John Tarantino rendered this crock of simple material, likely watercolor, sometime between 1855 and 1995. Note the birds inscribed on its surface. Birds have long served as symbols of the soul’s journey. They appear across cultures as messengers between the earthly and divine realms. Consider how these avian motifs appear in ancient Egyptian art, where birds guide souls through the afterlife. In classical mythology, birds are often associated with deities, such as the owl with Athena, representing wisdom. This symbolic language transcends time, echoing in medieval tapestries and Renaissance paintings, where birds signify hope and divine intervention. The recurring presence of bird imagery throughout art history reveals a collective fascination with flight, freedom, and spiritual transcendence. They trigger a powerful subconscious response, reminding us of our aspirations and longing for something beyond the material world. This simple crock engages our deepest fears and hopes, as the symbol of the bird resurfaces across epochs, adapting to new cultural narratives, yet preserving its archetypal power.