Pet Pony, from the Household Pets series (N194) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1891

This chromolithograph, made by William S. Kimball & Company, presents us with a vision of domestic tranquility, where a young woman poses confidently with her pony. The image is replete with symbols of status, aspiration, and control over nature. Observe the pony itself, a clear symbol of wealth, evoking the equestrian statues of emperors and kings. The golden sash draped across the woman’s chest connects to ancient Roman triumphal garments, hinting at her elevated status. Consider how such symbols persist and transform across time, reappearing in contemporary displays of power and social standing. The recurring motif of mastery, visible from antiquity to present day, reflects an ongoing human desire to assert dominance over the natural world. This is a manifestation of our collective, subconscious drive for control and order. Even in this seemingly innocent scene, the symbolic weight of history exerts a powerful influence, engaging us on a deep, often unrecognized level. The symbols within this image are not static relics but are part of a dynamic, ever-evolving cultural narrative.