Jug (one of a pair) 1675 - 1695

This ceramic jug was crafted by Fehr, circa 1650-1750. Note the scene depicted on its side, a formal dining setting that speaks volumes about social rituals. The act of communal eating carries symbolic weight across cultures. Feasting, from ancient Roman banquets to the Last Supper, often represents unity, celebration, or solemnity. This scene, meticulously rendered on the jug, echoes earlier depictions of courtly life and domesticity found in tapestries and illuminated manuscripts. Consider the table as a stage, where participants enact a drama of social status and power. Gestures around the table – offering food, raising a glass – are charged with meaning. One can trace the evolution of the motif of the dining table, from ancient symposiums to Renaissance paintings, each reflecting its era's values and societal structures. It is a powerful emblem, engaging us subconsciously with themes of belonging, hospitality, and hierarchy. This seemingly simple scene is part of a long, cyclical tradition, endlessly resurfacing with new interpretations across time.