Dish c. 1775

This porcelain dish was crafted by the Worcester Royal Porcelain Company, adorned with potent symbols that speak to cultural memory. At its heart, we see a vibrant phoenix, a symbol of rebirth and immortality, soaring above a figure riding a mythical beast. The phoenix, revered across cultures from ancient Egypt to China, embodies the cyclical nature of life and the hope of renewal. Encircling this central image are various flora and fauna, each carrying its own symbolic weight, contributing to a rich tapestry of meaning. Consider how the phoenix, akin to the Egyptian Bennu bird, rises from ashes, echoing in the Christian concept of resurrection. This motif, deeply embedded in our collective consciousness, transcends time, resurfacing in different guises across civilizations. The emotional resonance of such symbols lies in their ability to tap into our primal understanding of life, death, and the enduring human spirit.