Pitcher 1849 - 1854

This brown-glazed pitcher was made by the Congress Pottery in the mid-19th century. Adorning its surface, we find a collection of symbols steeped in centuries of cultural meaning. Note the handle, shaped like a stylized swan or goose. Birds have long been associated with freedom, transition, and the soul's journey. Now, consider the procession of figures marching around the base; perhaps soldiers returning from war, they remind us of similar triumphal processions depicted on ancient Roman reliefs. And higher up, a band of grapes and vines. The grape, from antiquity to Christianity, has been a symbol of fertility, abundance, and transformation. Think of Dionysus, the god of wine, or the Christian Eucharist. These motifs have roots deep in our collective psyche. They evoke a sense of continuity, reminding us that even the simplest objects can carry layers of history and meaning. Though time and culture shift, these symbols live on.