c. 1800 - 1825
Pendule in de vorm van een ovale mand
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Curatorial notes
This clock, shaped like an oval basket, was crafted by Jacques Bollengier. Note how it is adorned with opulent gilt bronze, with a band of repeating floral motifs. The form echoes ancient cornucopia, symbols of abundance and nourishment, that can be traced back to classical antiquity, often associated with deities of agriculture and prosperity. Its shape suggests a vessel overflowing with nature’s gifts, which reflects a yearning for an idealized past. These decorative elements, echoing motifs from antiquity, are not merely aesthetic; they carry the weight of centuries. This yearning for a golden age reveals how collective memory and the subconscious mind can converge in artistic expression. As time marches forward, such powerful symbols, resonating on a subconscious level, continue to resurface, adapting and evolving, to capture the human spirit across eras.