Kan van tin met spiraalvormige zwellingen c. 1775 - 1825

This pewter can, adorned with spiral swells, features a small figure atop its lid and rests on paw-like feet. These symbols speak volumes through time. The spiral, seen winding around the can’s body, evokes the ancient symbol of the serpent. Throughout history, the serpent has been associated with cyclical time, transformation, and primordial energy. Consider its presence in ancient Egyptian and Greek symbolism, winding its way through creation myths and alchemical texts alike. The paw-like feet anchor this vessel to primal earthbound forces, grounding the can with an animalistic quality. These motifs remind us that the primitive and the refined are eternally intertwined, each informing the other in an endless dance of cultural expression. The small figure atop the lid, in contrast, embodies human aspiration. It suggests the enduring human quest to understand and transcend earthly concerns.