Design for an Incense Burner (?) 19th century

Here is a design for an incense burner made in pen and gray ink on paper by an anonymous artist. Notice how garlands of laurel leaves embrace the body of this object. Wreaths and garlands, universal symbols of triumph and eternity, have adorned monuments since antiquity, notably in ancient Rome, to celebrate military victories and imperial achievements. This motif of the garland, a symbol of victory and remembrance, reappears throughout history, adorning everything from triumphal arches to the portraits of emperors. Observe the feet of this burner: they are stylized lion paws, a symbol of strength and dominion found in ancient Egyptian and Greek art. The lion, a solar symbol, conveys power and courage. Such symbols trigger deep-seated cultural memories. The collective psyche recognizes and responds to these images, regardless of the specific context. The emotional power of these motifs resides in their capacity to tap into primal human experiences and aspirations. And so, these symbols are not fixed, but cyclical, constantly resurfacing, evolving, and acquiring new layers of meaning across different times.