Water Jar 17th century

This water jar was made in Japan in the second half of the 17th century by Nonomura Ninsei. The vessel is of modest size with a lid, handles, and a mottled pattern that makes it very distinctive. Water, as a symbol, flows through the ages, carrying with it a potent mix of meanings. In ancient Greece, water was seen as the origin of all things. In Christianity, water symbolizes purification and rebirth through baptism. Here, Ninsei harnesses water's fluidity and transformational qualities. The jar appears to be melting at its base. This may be a commentary on the ephemeral nature of existence. The jar serves as a potent reminder of how symbols and archetypes resurface, shift, and take on new resonance throughout time.