Two salt cellars c. 1720 - 1735

These salt cellars feature traditional blue and white designs, a common style in ceramics. The floral motifs represent a celebration of nature, fertility, and the cyclical beauty of life, resonating with the symbolic language of blossoms found across various cultures and epochs. But what truly captures the imagination is the dragon. In Eastern art, dragons symbolize power, wisdom, and prosperity. The dragon, once a symbol of imperial authority, finds itself on a mere household object. Consider, too, the dragon's Western counterpart, often a symbol of chaos. Yet, both interpretations tap into the dragon's primal energy, evoking awe, fear, and respect. The image of the dragon has recurred through different eras and civilizations, becoming a powerful psychological symbol deeply rooted in the collective unconscious. It is a testament to the dragon's symbolic complexity – a convergence of cultural meanings and shared human experiences.