Autumn (one of a pair) 1745 - 1747

Nicholas Sébastien Adam the Younger created this marble vase, called 'Autumn,' at an unknown date. It evokes a very specific moment in the history of taste and the development of the decorative arts. The vase’s design is rich with classical references. Note the ram’s heads and the Bacchic masks surrounded by grapes and vines. These allude to ancient Roman celebrations of nature's bounty and agricultural plenty. Made in France, this vase reflects the 18th-century enthusiasm for all things classical. This enthusiasm was driven by archaeological discoveries and the fashion for incorporating antique motifs into contemporary design. Vases like this were not just decorative; they embodied ideals of elegance and refinement valued by the elite. To understand the world of Adam and his patrons, we might consult period pattern books, estate inventories, and even conduct archaeological research, to trace the movement of such objects and the classical ideas they embodied. Art is always embedded in its specific time and place.