Saucer 1769 - 1770

This silver saucer was crafted by Jacques-Pierre Marteau in the 18th century. Note the delicate garland of flowers etched around the rim. Such garlands, symbols of festivity and abundance, are hardly unique. We see them echoed through time, from ancient Roman festivals to Renaissance paintings. Garlands appear on sarcophagi and in pagan rituals symbolizing the cyclical nature of life and death, rebirth and continuity. The seemingly simple garland has a profound significance, evoking not just joy but also a deep-seated, collective memory. Its recurring presence acts as a bridge that connects us to ancestral rites. It reminds us that our subconscious is filled with images and symbols that shape our understanding of the world. This silver saucer is not just an object, it is a conduit to our shared cultural memory.