Two-handled vase 1893 - 1900

This two-handled vase was crafted by Columbian Art Pottery between 1893 and 1905. At first glance, we see a nymph-like figure, arms raised, in what appears to be a classical, perhaps even sacred, gesture. But let us delve deeper. The raised arms, a symbol of supplication or invocation, echo across millennia. We find it in ancient Egyptian art, where figures reach towards the heavens, seeking divine favor. In Christian iconography, the orans posture, with arms outstretched, signifies prayer and communion with God. Consider how this gesture, initially rooted in religious entreaty, has evolved. Here, in this vase, it seems to have been stripped of its explicit religious meaning, transformed into a more secular expression of longing or aspiration. The forest enveloping the figure suggests a return to nature, a subconscious yearning for primordial harmony. The image's power lies in its ability to evoke a sense of timelessness, a primal connection to the natural world. It reminds us how symbols resurface, transformed yet familiar, engaging our deepest emotions.