Plate 1807 - 1831

This plate was crafted by Samuel Pierce in the late 18th or early 19th century. We see here a seemingly simple circular form, yet its symbolism is deeply embedded in the human experience. The circle, a universal motif, appears in the Ouroboros, the snake eating its tail, and in mandalas, representing wholeness, eternity, and the cyclical nature of life. Our collective memory associates this shape with safety, the warmth of the hearth, and communal gatherings. This plate, as a vessel, echoes the form of the womb, evoking primal feelings of nourishment and security. Consider how this form transcends epochs, seen in ancient sun discs representing divinity or halos encircling the heads of saints. The circle never truly disappears; it resurfaces, laden with new significance, yet still resonating with its ancient power. The enduring allure of the circle reflects a deep-seated need for order and continuity in a world of chaos.