Reproduction of a Minoan limestone vessel in the shape of a triton shell c. early 20th century

Curator: This intriguing object is a reproduction of a Minoan limestone vessel shaped like a triton shell, likely crafted by Emile Gilliéron or his son. What strikes you first about it? Editor: Its stillness. The shell form suggests the ocean, movement, sound, but rendered in stone, it’s silent, grounded. The muted colors only amplify that sense of quietude. Curator: Indeed. The triton shell in Minoan culture carried powerful symbolism, associated with maritime power and religious rituals. Gilliéron's reproduction speaks to the early 20th-century fascination with uncovering and reinterpreting ancient civilizations. Editor: Absolutely. The shell form itself is a potent symbol, linking to notions of creation, the feminine, and the mysteries of the deep. To hold such a form, even a reproduction, connects us to those primal ideas. Curator: It’s a reminder of how objects, even copies, participate in the ongoing dialogue between past and present. Editor: A very evocative echo, wouldn't you agree?