Duck 1750 - 1755

This is a porcelain duck made around 1760 at the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory. The duck, with its head turned back to preen its feathers, is perched atop a faux tree stump. Birds have long served as potent symbols, appearing across cultures from ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs to the Christian dove representing peace. This duck, however, is not engaged in symbolic flight or divine messaging. Instead, its turned head and preening gesture evoke a sense of introspection and self-care. Consider the enduring motif of animals in art across time and space. In ancient Roman mosaics, birds often symbolized the seasons or elements. In medieval bestiaries, animals were imbued with moral lessons. Here, the duck’s simple act of self-maintenance speaks to a universal, almost primal need. The artist taps into our collective memory, engaging us on a subconscious level with a familiar yet profoundly personal image.