Goose Seller 1775 - 1785

This porcelain figurine of a goose seller was crafted by the Royal Porcelain Manufactory in 1775. The goose, prominently displayed, carries layers of symbolism. Throughout history, the goose has been associated with vigilance and domesticity, yet it also appears as a symbol of foolishness or greed in folklore. We see echoes of this duality in ancient Roman mythology, where geese famously warned of an attack on the Capitoline Hill, juxtaposed with fables where geese are easily tricked. Fast forward, and the goose reappears in medieval bestiaries, embodying both positive and negative traits. This reflects a primal ambivalence in the human psyche: the goose is the familiar domestic bird, yet also a creature of the wild, embodying freedom and unpredictability. Perhaps, this goose seller reflects the viewer’s own internal balancing act between instinct and reason, domesticity and the untamed. It’s a potent reminder that symbols are never fixed; they evolve, mirroring our own complex emotional landscape across generations.