Trivet c. 1939

Here we see a trivet, drawn by Holger Hansen, an object designed for the hearth, yet it carries echoes far beyond its utilitarian purpose. Observe its heart-shaped form, a symbol laden with love, vitality, and courage, yet forged in rigid iron, a material of strength, protection, and sometimes, oppression. This duality is not new. We see the heart motif in ancient votive offerings, expressions of devotion, but also in heraldry, emblems of power, and the courage needed in battle. Consider also the handle, a singular extension ending in a circle, suggestive of continuity and completion, like the Ouroboros, the snake eating its own tail. This symbol transcends cultures, from ancient Egypt to Norse mythology, representing the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The hearth is the heart of the home. The artist imbues this simple object with layers of meaning, inviting us to consider how symbols both anchor us to our past and evolve through our collective consciousness.