Water Goblet 1860 - 1870

This water goblet was crafted in the 19th century by Christian Dorflinger. Observe the etched decoration: a ribbon above what appears to be a goose or duck. These symbols, seemingly simple, carry echoes of deeper meanings. The ribbon, universally a symbol of connection and festivity, is here intertwined with an image of a water fowl. This association reminds me of ancient Roman mosaics depicting scenes of leisure, where birds often symbolized nature's bounty and the pleasures of life. Consider how this image of a tied bird might affect us subconsciously. Perhaps there is an implication of constraint, where the bird yearns for freedom. These motifs are not linear, but cyclical, reappearing in different guises across time. These symbols gain new nuances, demonstrating how our collective memory evolves, carrying both joy and complex emotional undertones.