Vaas met twee handvatten eindigend in krul c. 1650

Georges Tournier’s print depicts a vase, showcasing a detailed study of form and ornamentation. Though the exact date is unknown, its presence in the Rijksmuseum connects it to a broader narrative of cultural preservation and display. The vase, positioned in the area of the Temple of St. Cecilia in Rome, speaks to the historical appropriation of classical forms, echoing the complexities of cultural identity. The vase, as an object, carries gendered connotations. It functions as a vessel and a symbol of containment; its curves suggestive of the female body. The vase's handles ending in a curl bring a flamboyance that can be read as an indicator of status, power, and maybe even a touch of frivolity. Consider how the vase, though inanimate, bears witness to the passage of time and the layers of history. The very act of preserving and exhibiting this image invites us to contemplate how we assign value and meaning to objects and places.