Stag (one of a pair) 18th century

This salt-glazed stoneware Stag was crafted by Ralph Wood the Younger in Staffordshire, England. The reclining stag, a symbol of nobility, grace, and connection to the natural world, presents a rich tapestry of cultural meanings. The motif of the stag, with its majestic antlers reaching towards the heavens, resonates across cultures and ages. From ancient Greek mythology where the stag was associated with Artemis, goddess of the hunt, to its presence in medieval heraldry as a symbol of courage and protection, the stag embodies potent forces. Consider the Paleolithic cave paintings in Lascaux, where the image of the deer is rendered with striking realism. These images carry a mysterious symbolic weight, perhaps related to shamanistic rituals. This animal's symbolism has evolved over time, shifting from a sacred animal to a symbol of wealth and the hunt in the Renaissance. But even here, the collective unconscious continues to imbue the stag with primal, untamed energies. The stag has an enduring presence in the human psyche.