Covered Bowl 1935 - 1942

Jessica Price rendered this covered bowl with watercolor, a humble vessel adorned with symbols resonating through history. Notice the cross encircled by a wreath, prominently displayed on the bowl’s facade, a motif deeply rooted in early Christian iconography, symbolizing triumph and eternity. This emblem echoes across centuries, recalling the laurel wreaths of ancient Rome, symbols of victory and honor, adorning emperors and athletes alike. Yet, here, entwined with the cross, it transcends mere earthly achievement, embracing spiritual victory over death. Consider the recurring motif of swirling, almost baroque handles and finial. The subconscious attraction to cyclical patterns like this one is deeply rooted in our shared past. We are instinctively drawn to such forms because they resonate with primal ideas about continuity, the seasons, and the eternal return. The cross within a wreath evolves, adapts, yet its core message of hope and resilience persists, reminding us of the enduring power of symbols to transcend time and culture.