Pear-shaped bottle vase with lotus scrolls in panels c. 1680 - 1720

This pear-shaped vase is decorated with lotus scrolls in panels of blue and white. The lotus flower, prominently displayed, is not merely decorative. The lotus has been revered across cultures, particularly in the East, symbolizing purity, spiritual awakening, and rebirth. Its ability to emerge unsullied from muddy waters makes it a potent symbol of resilience and transcendence, echoing in Egyptian art with the sun god Ra emerging from a lotus. The lotus motif reappears through the ages, from ancient Egyptian reliefs to Buddhist mandalas, each time adapting to new cultural contexts while retaining its core essence of spiritual unfolding. The persistent allure of the lotus speaks to our collective unconscious, drawn to images of hope and renewal. It reflects our deep-seated desire for transformation. The vase serves as a testament to the enduring power of symbols. It shows how motifs can traverse continents and epochs, constantly reinventing themselves while still rooted in the shared human experience.