Oil or Vinegar Cruet c. 1737

This porcelain oil or vinegar cruet was crafted by the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. We see a figure riding a rooster, a motif laden with symbolism. The rooster, often associated with vigilance and courage, stretches back to ancient Greece, where it was sacred to Apollo, god of light and knowledge. Consider the figure atop the rooster: this pairing echoes images of triumph, where the hero subdues the animal, symbolizing the mastery of instinct. But the image takes on a new dimension, doesn't it? It is not a god-like figure riding a rooster, but rather a comical, human figure, thus it is more about humor and lightheartedness. Observe how the rooster itself is transformed through the artist’s vision, adorned with delicate colors and decorative details, thereby signaling a celebration of cultural exchange. This cross-cultural transformation speaks to the psychological power of images to adapt, evolve, and resonate across time and space. These images, ingrained in the collective psyche, evoke a sense of continuity and cultural memory.