Moon flask with "cloisonné" floral decoration 1870 - 1880

This Minton moon flask features cloisonné floral decoration. Notice how blossoms float on the surface, as if suspended in time. The lotus, prominently displayed, carries a profound history. Rooted in muddy waters, yet blossoming pure, it embodies spiritual awakening and enlightenment. This echoes in ancient Egyptian art, where the lotus symbolized rebirth and the sun. The symbolic weight of the lotus is echoed in Christian art, where the Madonna is portrayed with lilies, signifying purity and divine love. This transmutation of symbols speaks to the deep, subconscious currents flowing through cultures. In viewing this flask, we are not merely observing a decorative object, but engaging with a vibrant network of meaning, echoing across millennia. The power of these images lies in their ability to evoke universal human experiences – our hopes, fears, and spiritual longings. The persistence and adaptation of motifs, like the lotus, remind us of the cyclical nature of history, where symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new life across time.