Lidded terrine and stand 1780

This lidded terrine and stand were crafted in the eighteenth century by Johannes Schiotling, a master silversmith. Note the finial in the shape of a pinecone: a symbol that speaks volumes across centuries. From antiquity, the pinecone was associated with fertility and immortality. Think of the staff of Osiris, crowned with a pinecone, or its presence in Roman gardens, symbolizing regeneration. Now, observe how Schiotling revives this ancient emblem atop a vessel intended for the pleasures of the table. It is as if the past and present are intertwined, with the symbolic weight of ages distilled into a single, gleaming form. Consider how such motifs migrate, adapt, and persist in our collective memory, revealing the echoes of shared human experience. The image of the pinecone engages us on a deep, subconscious level, reminding us of nature's enduring cycles. The pinecone is a testament to the non-linear, cyclical progression of symbols, resurfacing, evolving, and acquiring new layers of meaning throughout history.