Cylindrical covered jar on foot with precious objects and antiquities c. 1700 - 1724

This cylindrical jar with a lid is decorated with precious objects and antiquities painted in blue on white. We see ornate vessels and stylized feathers that reflect a fascination with the exotic and precious, echoing the historical Silk Road trade. These motifs are not isolated; they resonate with similar patterns found across diverse cultures and epochs. The feather, for instance, a symbol of status and divine connection, appears in ancient Egyptian headdresses, indigenous American art, and Renaissance courtly fashion. Its presence on this jar evokes a collective memory of opulence, prestige, and power. The symbolic arrangement may also tap into a deeper, subconscious desire for material wealth. It’s as if this jar becomes an embodiment of accumulated knowledge, history, and aspiration. Note how this assemblage of objects is not random but is a deliberate construction. The non-linear, cyclical progression of these symbols resurfaces here, evolved, and taken on new meanings in a unique context.