Miss Dekoyod, from the Actresses series (N203) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This small card, made by Wm. S. Kimball & Co., presents Miss Dekoyod, an actress of her time. Pearls encircle her neck, not merely as adornment, but as potent symbols. In ancient Greece, pearls were associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love, born from the sea. This symbol transcends time, appearing throughout Renaissance portraits, signifying purity, wealth, and status. Consider how the pearl, once a pagan symbol of love, transformed into a Christian emblem of purity, reflecting the complex evolution of symbols. Such shifts reveal the workings of collective memory, where cultural anxieties and aspirations are projected onto objects. The string of pearls, a symbol of feminine virtue, takes on new meanings in our modern era. These symbols evoke a deep, often subconscious response in viewers. The pearls are not just fashion, but a cultural echo, resonating through centuries.