Hot milk pot 1735 - 1745

This hot milk pot was created by the Meissen Manufactory. Note the grotesque mask forming the spout, a common motif in European decorative arts. These masks, often derived from ancient theatrical traditions, evoke a sense of the wild, untamed forces of nature. Consider the winged quadruped painted on the side. It bears a striking resemblance to the mythological griffin, a creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. Throughout history, the griffin has symbolized strength, vigilance, and guardianship. From ancient Persia to medieval Europe, this composite being appears in countless forms, each reflecting the cultural anxieties and aspirations of its time. It’s not a linear journey, but rather a cyclical progression. The image resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings, continually engaging our collective memory.