Renaissance-style mortar 19th century

This Renaissance-style mortar was made by Vincenzo Grandi. It’s filled with symbols that speak volumes about the culture and ideas of its time. Notice the deer, which, since antiquity, has been a symbol of renewal and the cycle of life. Its image has appeared in various contexts, from ancient Roman art to medieval tapestries, always linked to nature’s rhythms. Also, serpents are coiled throughout the mortar, and are often seen as symbols of chaos, but also of transformation and healing. Think of the Rod of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine. Here, the serpent's presence speaks to the emotional complexity of transformation—the subconscious pull between destruction and renewal. This piece is not just an object; it’s a vessel brimming with symbols that connect us to the timeless currents of human experience. Its symbols have an emotional and psychological weight that resonates with our collective memory.