Galvanoplastische reproductie van een bokaal met deksel bekroond door een meloen before 1878

This is a reproduction of a covered bowl, crafted by Elkington & Co. The melon that crowns this bowl is no mere decorative flourish. The melon motif traces back to antiquity. Think of Roman banquets, where displays of fruit signaled abundance and divine favor. The melon, with its many seeds, embodied fertility and prosperity. The fruit here is not simply a sweet treat; it is a symbol, heavy with the promise of abundance. Consider also how this symbol has been adapted over time, from ancient Rome to the tables of Europe's elite. It reflects a desire that transcends time, a primal yearning for prosperity. This bowl is a vessel for not just material wealth, but also for our collective dreams and aspirations. It is a reminder of the cyclical nature of symbols, their ability to resurface and acquire new meanings across generations.