Hind (one of a pair) 18th century

This earthenware "Hind," made by Ralph Wood the Younger, presents us with an animal that is both earthly and ethereal. The reclining deer, a symbol deeply rooted in ancient mythology, immediately brings to mind Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, and her connection to the wild. The deer, with its gentle eyes and graceful form, has long represented innocence and purity. We see echoes of this symbolism in medieval tapestries and Renaissance paintings, where the deer often accompanies virtuous figures. In the East, the deer is a sacred animal, revered for its wisdom and longevity. But here, the deer is rendered in a somewhat melancholic pose, its gaze distant. Does it evoke a sense of vulnerability? Perhaps it is a reminder of the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitable encroachment of civilization upon the natural world, a theme that continues to resonate even today. Note that this image of nature, frozen in time, continues its non-linear voyage through our collective consciousness.