Ampullen 1857 - 1859

Here we see a sketch by Pierre Joseph Hubert Cuypers, titled Ampullen, housed in the Rijksmuseum. It presents a design for vessels, rich with symbolism drawn from a deep well of cultural memory. Note the vessel on the right, an object that transcends mere utility. It has a handle shaped like a bird’s neck, which reminds me of antique Greco-Roman ewers, often used in religious rituals, signaling purity and transformation. See how the form echoes through time, a testament to the enduring human fascination with the sacred and the symbolic. The vessel and its stand are decorated with fleur-de-lis. These stylistic floral decorations are associated with French royalty and often represent perfection, light, and life. Interestingly, such symbols are not confined to a single era or culture; they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts. Such symbols are the embodiment of collective memory, engaging us on a subconscious level.