Newel post c. 19th century

This 'Newel Post,' crafted by the Clichy Glasshouse, presents a mesmerizing array of millefiori flowers suspended in glass. These aren't mere decorations; flowers, since antiquity, have been potent symbols of life, beauty, and even fragility. Consider how floral motifs appear in Botticelli's "Primavera," where flowers embody the burgeoning of spring and the awakening of Venus. Here, the Clichy Glasshouse captures a similar sense of vitality, albeit in a different medium. The scattered arrangement, reminiscent of stars in the night sky, evokes a sense of infinity and wonder. One might even trace a connection to the vanitas paintings of the Dutch Golden Age, where flowers, though beautiful, also served as reminders of life’s transience. These millefiori, immortalized in glass, offer a different perspective. Is it a preservation of beauty? Or a poignant meditation on ephemerality? Perhaps it's both, engaging our subconscious with its delicate, yet enduring allure. In this microcosm of blooms, we see reflections of our own desires for beauty, permanence, and meaning.