Saucer c. 18th century

This porcelain saucer features a central motif of a bird perched upon a rock, encircled by stylized floral patterns. Such imagery resonates with symbolic meaning that spans cultures. The bird, a frequent symbol across time, often represents the soul, freedom, or divine messenger. Here, its placement upon a rock suggests a grounded spirituality, a connection to the earth, or perhaps even steadfastness. The surrounding flowers, with their varied forms and colors, evoke themes of beauty, nature's bounty, and the cyclical nature of life. Consider the enduring presence of floral motifs from ancient Egyptian tombs to Renaissance paintings. The image touches something primal within us. It is this emotional resonance, deeply embedded in our collective psyche, that gives this simple saucer its enduring power. The symbols, continually reinterpreted across time, engage viewers in a profound and subconscious dialogue with the past.