Bowl 1784 - 1785

This silver bowl was crafted by Matthew West in the 18th century. Its surface is punctuated by an intriguing array of symbols, including beaded festoons and stylized shells. The shell motif, adorning the bowl's exterior, carries echoes of ancient Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, often depicted emerging from a scallop shell, embodying rebirth and divine femininity. These motifs are not just decorative; they resonate with the enduring power of symbols to evoke shared memories. Consider how such symbols migrate and transform. The shell, once a potent emblem in classical art, reappears here, subtly altered yet still recognizable, bridging antiquity with the sensibilities of 18th-century craftsmanship. This bowl is a testament to the persistent human impulse to imbue objects with meaning, drawing on a wellspring of collective memory.