Dish 1794 - 1800

Absalmon Day crafted this painted tin-glazed dish sometime between 1790 and 1843. Note the letter "A" encircled by a vine-like design. Letters, as symbols, have always possessed a certain power. From ancient runic inscriptions to the illuminated manuscripts of the medieval period, letters represent far more than simple communication. They embody identity, knowledge, and sometimes even magical properties. Here, the "A" likely signifies a family initial or personal mark, rooted in a need for identity. Consider how monograms and family crests evolved from medieval heraldry, symbols of lineage and honor, repurposed into personal emblems. The emotional weight tied to these symbols speaks to our primal need for belonging and recognition. The cyclical nature of symbols reminds us that our present is always entwined with the past.