Garniture of five vases 1886

Theo Colenbrander made this vase with earthenware and painted it in vivid colors, reflecting a fascination with patterns. Note the distinct floral motifs and abstract figures, symbols of nature’s regenerative power. The snake motif slithering around the neck of the vase echoes ancient symbols of transformation. Serpents have appeared throughout history as symbols of rebirth and healing, from the caduceus of Hermes to the Ouroboros, the snake that eats its own tail. This symbolizes cyclical renewal. Consider also the face on the base of the vase. This mask-like figure may draw from ancient traditions of apotropaic imagery, which sought to ward off evil. Such symbols recur across cultures, revealing our shared human tendency to use images as a form of psychological protection. Thus, this vase is not simply an object of decoration but a vessel brimming with cultural memory, where ancient symbols are reborn in a new guise.