Soup tureen 1753 - 1754

This silver soup tureen was crafted by William Cripps and demonstrates the opulence of dining in the 18th century. Notice the rose on top, a symbol that has travelled through time, from ancient Greece, where it was associated with Aphrodite, to the Christian Middle Ages, where it symbolized the Virgin Mary. The rose speaks of love and secrecy; its thorns, a reminder of pain intertwined with beauty. This duality resonates in other art forms. Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus,” for instance, echoes similar themes of beauty, love and desire. As civilizations rise and fall, the rose adapts, yet its emotional core remains, stirring our collective memory. Even in modern contexts, the rose continues to stir deep emotions and psychological undertones. It continues to bloom in various forms, reminding us of the cyclical nature of symbols.