Vase (part of a garniture) 1723 - 1741

This is a vase, part of a garniture, made by the De Witte Starre Manufactory. Notice the elegant figures rendered with understated grace, their gestures echoing a narrative lost to time. The central motif, recurring on each vase, is the tending of blossoming plants, a symbol laden with cultural weight. This act, simple yet profound, transcends mere gardening; it represents cultivation of the self, harmony with nature, and the nurturing of life's delicate beauty. Think back to ancient Greece and the Eleusinian Mysteries, where the sowing of seeds promised renewal, or consider the pervasive symbolism of the "hortus conclusus" in medieval Christian art, a garden representing purity and spiritual solace. Here, the gesture of tending plants has evolved, yet its emotional core persists. The collective memory of humanity resonates within this image, engaging our subconscious with its enduring message of growth and care. The image is cyclical, resurfacing across eras.