Taperstick 1808 - 1809

This elegant silver taperstick was crafted by Simon Harris between 1750 and 1850. Note the prominent shell motif adorning its handle. The shell, a symbol resonating through millennia, transcends mere decoration. In antiquity, the scallop shell was associated with Venus, goddess of love and beauty, born from the sea. We see this symbol re-emerge during the Renaissance in Botticelli's "Birth of Venus". Later, it became the emblem of pilgrims, particularly those journeying to Santiago de Compostela, with the shell signifying a spiritual voyage. Here, the shell suggests not just beauty or faith, but a guiding light—a psychological beacon illuminating the darkness. Reflect on the enduring power of such symbols, their ability to tap into our collective memory and subconscious, evoking emotions and associations that bridge distant epochs.