Theestoof c. 1791 - 1806

This Theestoof was made by Adrianus Koekebakker from silver. It is adorned with scalloped edges reminiscent of classical motifs. The scalloped motif, a recurring symbol in art history, is present here, echoing ancient depictions of waves and shells. These forms, often linked to the sea and fertility, can be traced back to the myth of Venus, born from the foam of the sea in a scallop shell. We see this in Botticelli's Renaissance masterpiece, where Venus stands in a shell, embodying beauty and love. The scalloped edge here may seem merely decorative, yet it resonates with these primordial, life-affirming symbols. This connection to ancient iconography touches something deep within us, linking daily life to timeless, subconscious narratives. This cyclical resurgence of symbols reveals how we are perpetually drawn to the past, reinterpreting and reinvesting it with new meanings, carrying forward a chain of cultural memory.