Epergne 1755 - 1756

Eliza Godfrey, a London silversmith, crafted this epergne around 1750, a testament to the era’s fascination with elaborate table settings. Dominating the piece are the scallop shells, not merely decorative, but potent symbols. The scallop shell, emblem of Saint James, carries the weight of pilgrimage and spiritual quest. Visualize pilgrims journeying to Santiago de Compostela, their cloaks adorned with this very shell, a badge of devotion. But before Christianity, Aphrodite, goddess of love, was often depicted emerging from a scallop shell, signifying rebirth and sensual awakening. Consider Botticelli’s Venus, a clear echo of this ancient association. The epergne’s creator subtly weaves together sacred and profane, reflecting the complex tapestry of human experience. This piece engages us on a visceral level, calling forth a collective memory of journeys, both physical and spiritual, resurfacing across centuries.