One of Twenty-Three Sheets of Drawings of Glassware (Mirrors, Chandeliers, Goblets, etc.) 1850 - 1880

This delicate sheet of watercolor drawings of glassware hails from the Compagnia di Venezia e Murano. The array of goblets, vases, and chandeliers presents more than mere functional objects; each piece embodies a vessel of symbolic weight, reflecting a dance between form and meaning. Consider the recurring motif of the vase. Since antiquity, the vase has served as a potent symbol across cultures. From the amphorae of ancient Greece, used in funerary rituals, to the decorative urns gracing Renaissance gardens, the vase transcends its utilitarian purpose. Notice how the vase can be seen as a symbol of the womb, representing fertility, abundance, and the cyclical nature of life. Across time, the vase has resurfaced in diverse artistic contexts, from Dutch still-life paintings teeming with blossoms to modern sculptures exploring abstract forms. This enduring presence speaks to the unconscious resonance of the vase, its ability to evoke primal emotions and stir collective memories. As we gaze upon these drawings, let us acknowledge the vase's power to engage us on a deeply emotional, subconscious level.