Vase 1888 - 1898

This vase, crafted by the Chelsea Pottery U.S., features a striking cobalt blue butterfly against a crackled glaze. Butterflies, across cultures, embody transformation, rebirth, and the ephemeral nature of life. Consider the ancient Greeks, for whom the butterfly represented Psyche, the soul, eternally transitioning. This symbolism weaves its way through history, appearing in vanitas paintings of the Dutch Golden Age as a reminder of life’s brevity, or in Japanese art, where it symbolizes joy and longevity when paired. Notice how the delicate rendering of the butterfly on the vase contrasts with the harsh lines of the crackled glaze, a visual tension that hints at the push and pull between beauty and decay. This captures the complex interplay between life's fragility and its enduring power. The butterfly reminds us that even in moments of apparent stagnation, the potential for profound change always exists. The vase invites us to contemplate the cyclical nature of existence and the enduring power of symbols to connect us to our cultural past.