Small covered wine pot or teapot 1662 - 1722

This small wine pot or teapot was crafted in China, adorned with symbols that speak volumes. Observe the butterflies and flowers, recurring motifs across cultures. In ancient Greece, the butterfly was Psyche, the soul, and the flower a symbol of ephemeral beauty. Here, butterflies flit among blossoms, embodying transformation and the fleeting nature of life, a sentiment echoed in vanitas paintings of the Dutch Golden Age, where wilting flowers warned against earthly vanity. But look closer. The arrangement, the colours, the very act of depiction — each choice carries the weight of collective memory. These aren't merely decorative elements; they are powerful forces engaging viewers on a subconscious level, echoing themes of mortality and renewal. This symbol, in its non-linear, cyclical progression, resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.