Saucer 1765 - 1775

This delicate saucer was crafted at the Doccia Porcelain Manufactory, showcasing a scene in reddish-brown hues. Observe the two figures depicted; one is seated, seemingly listening to the other who stands holding a staff. They evoke classical antiquity, reminiscent of pastoral scenes where shepherds and nymphs populate idealized landscapes. These bucolic settings are not merely decorative; they are imbued with a longing for a simpler, perhaps more authentic existence, a sentiment that echoes through centuries of art and literature. The staff held by the standing figure is particularly intriguing. In classical iconography, such a staff could symbolize authority, guidance, or pilgrimage. Consider the caduceus of Hermes, the Roman Mercury, a staff entwined with snakes, symbolizing commerce, negotiation, and even alchemy. The image is part of a collective memory, surfacing and transforming. This constant reshaping mirrors our own psychological processes, projecting desires and anxieties onto familiar symbols. This scene stirs emotions of nostalgia and escapism, engaging us on a subconscious level.