Plate 1820 - 1880

This earthenware plate, crafted around the 1820s to 1880s by Daniel Dry, bears a striking resemblance to the Tree of Life with its sinuous, rising forms. The central wavy lines reach upwards, flanked by stylized motifs that could easily be interpreted as flourishing branches. The Tree of Life is an ancient, universal symbol. We find it in the ancient Near East, depicted in Assyrian carvings where stylized trees are adorned with palmettes and guarded by winged spirits. We see it again in medieval tapestries, illustrating paradise gardens teeming with life. And here, in the hands of Dry, it appears on a simple plate. The undulating lines evoke a sense of primal energy, a life force that pulses through all things. The image persists and resurfaces, speaking to our collective memory, taking on new forms and meanings as it continues its journey through time.