Cream Pitcher 1878 - 1890

This cream pitcher was crafted in Pennsylvania by George Duncan and Sons. Notice the elaborate floral motifs; these patterns are not merely decorative. They are echoes of ancient symbols, particularly those associated with growth, prosperity, and the cyclical nature of life. These motifs remind me of similar patterns I have seen in ancient Minoan frescoes and Renaissance tapestries. Take, for instance, the stylized lotus flower. It appears repeatedly here and throughout the ancient world as a symbol of rebirth and enlightenment. When we trace these floral symbols through time, we observe how they continually re-emerge. The lotus, for example, appears in Egyptian art, then in Buddhist mandalas, and here, reinterpreted in American glassware. The persistence of these symbols reveals how deep-seated archetypes, ingrained in our collective memory, manifest across cultures. Looking closely, the symmetry and repetition of the patterns may evoke a psychological sense of comfort and order, mirroring the subconscious human desire to find balance in the chaos of existence. The cream pitcher, therefore, becomes more than a simple household item; it is a vessel carrying a profound, historical weight.