Moulinet 1739 - 1740

This Moulinet, standing at 18 1/2 inches, was crafted by John Le Sage. Observe the elaborate, cage-like structure at its base, a motif that echoes the designs of medieval reliquaries intended to hold sacred relics. Here, instead, it is a space for flavourings to blend into a warm beverage. In ancient Greece, similar latticework appeared in the form of votive offerings, symbolizing a connection to the divine through intricate, ethereal forms. Notice the almost subconscious desire to elevate the mundane. This is a subtle transformation that speaks to the human need to imbue everyday life with beauty. The latticework becomes a vessel for this yearning. The rhythmic, repetitive nature of swirling the Moulinet suggests a cyclical, even meditative act, a ritual re-enacted across centuries. In the swirling, is a nod to the constant flux of life, a connection between the domestic and the cosmic.