Large Chandelier at Carlton House, Pall Mall 1800 - 1900

Edmund Thomas Parris sketched this large chandelier at Carlton House in Pall Mall. Note the crown perched atop the fixture, a bold declaration of royal power and divine right. The crown is an ancient symbol, dating back to antiquity, representing authority and legitimacy. Think of the laurel wreaths of Roman emperors, a precursor to the jeweled crowns of European monarchs. In a psychoanalytic sense, the crown represents the ego, the individual's sense of self-worth and identity projected onto the world. Yet, it's also a collective symbol, resonating with centuries of cultural conditioning. Consider the shifting connotations, from sacred ruler to secular leader. The crown's endurance throughout time speaks to humanity's deep-seated need for leadership. Its persistent presence, however transformed across epochs, underscores the symbol’s non-linear journey, constantly evolving yet perpetually linked to its origins.