Snuffbox 1739 - 1755

This porcelain snuffbox was painted by the Meissen Manufactory. Observe how the aquatic deities populate its surface. On the lid, cherubic figures sail upon a fantastical sea creature, while the base features Neptune, god of the sea, holding his trident. The trident, a three-pronged spear, appears across mythologies, symbolizing power over water. The trident isn't merely a weapon; it's a scepter of dominion. We see echoes of this symbol in Poseidon's might in classical sculpture, and further back in the Bronze Age, where similar forked instruments appear in ritual contexts, each time charged with meanings of authority and command over nature's forces. Such symbols resonate deeply, stirring primal memories of humanity’s relationship with the untamable waters. The image of Neptune with his trident is not just a depiction, but a conduit to a collective, subconscious recognition of power. These symbols don't just fade; they transform, resurface, and continue to shape our cultural narrative.