Vase 1585 - 1615

Editor: Here we have a ceramic vase created sometime between 1585 and 1615 by the artists of Saintonge/La Chapelle des Pots. What strikes me most are the almost cartoonish lion heads that act as handles. What’s your initial impression of this decorative art? Curator: You know, those lion heads, with their slightly bewildered expressions, add such a peculiar charm. The overall design is just bursting with a sort of rustic, earthy energy, wouldn’t you say? The vibrant stripes – the browns, yellows, and greens – swirling around this central emblem... I keep wondering what kind of posies this vase used to cradle, back in the day! Editor: I'm also curious about the purpose and the emblem! Curator: I can just imagine it gracing a Renaissance table, maybe filled with herbs. Think about the context; this was an era of exploration, alchemy, and a renewed fascination with classical forms, with heraldry and symbolism abounding. This emblem would almost certainly allude to some family of importance and, together with the lions, signals their prestige! But it is also an expression of artisanal know-how - imagine the artist turning that spinning wheel! What story might they be telling through their hands? Editor: I never thought about the tactile nature of the artwork itself and what it says about Renaissance art practices. Thanks for sharing that with me. Curator: The beauty is in both the looking and in the feeling, and I'm happy that the experience resonates!