Standing cup with cover 17th century

This ivory standing cup with cover was crafted by Lorenz Zick in the 17th century. Notice the undulating lines etched into the ivory, especially around the cup and its lid: these are symbols of water. Water, a vital life force, carries deep symbolism across cultures. The ancient Egyptians saw the Nile as the source of all life, representing fertility and renewal. Similarly, in Greek mythology, rivers were personified as gods, embodying the power and unpredictability of nature. We can see echoes of these ancient beliefs in the Renaissance fountains, where water is both a decorative element and a symbol of abundance and power. The symbolic and cyclical nature of water persists, flowing through time and art. The image of water engages our collective memory, speaking to a primal understanding of life, death, and renewal.