Saucer 1730 - 1740

This delicate saucer was created by the Meissen Manufactory, showcasing a bustling harbor scene. Observe the palm tree. It stands tall, its fronds splayed like a peacock’s tail. Here, it represents the exotic allure of distant lands, inviting dreams of tropical paradises and maritime trade. This symbol, deeply rooted in collective memory, takes us back to antiquity, where palm trees symbolized victory and eternal life. Think of its appearance on ancient coins or in Roman triumphal arches. Yet, its presence here, on a piece of porcelain, marks a shift. The palm tree is no longer just a sign of triumph but of trade, colonialism, and perhaps the subconscious anxieties of cultural exchange. This continuous metamorphosis reveals how symbols, like cultural memories, are never static, they are perpetually reshaped by the currents of time and the tides of human emotion.