Urn with lid 1876 - 1896

This is a Coalport urn with lid, an exquisite ceramic piece created by Coalport, sometime between 1794 and 1926. The urn features a striking spiral pattern, alternating dark blue with golden foliage, punctuated with blue and white floral motifs. The floral designs, particularly the peonies, evoke symbols of wealth and honor, recurring motifs throughout various periods and regions, from ancient Greek pottery to Renaissance tapestries. Note, too, the cloud-shaped knob adorning the lid. The ‘ruyi’ scepter, from which it derives, is a symbol of power and good fortune. Consider how the cultural memory embedded in these symbols affects our subconscious understanding and emotional response. The act of placing flowers on a grave, for example, transcends mere aesthetics, tapping into a deep, primal desire to honor and remember the deceased. It shows that even seemingly simple gestures are part of a collective human experience, echoing through centuries.