Vase c. 1936

This is Ralph Atkinson’s painted vase. Notice the dominant use of blue, and the vessel’s shape. This choice evokes the ancient world, reminiscent of vessels used in classical Greece for wine or oil. The vessel is adorned with stylized motifs. We see the "eye" motif which appears throughout history, from ancient Egyptian amulets to Renaissance paintings, often serving as a symbol of protection, or divine presence. The golden floral patterns, delicate and repetitive, evoke ideas of growth and prosperity. Consider how such vessels, across cultures, were central to rituals, conveying not just function but status, value, and sometimes magical properties. Atkinson seems to be invoking these ancient echoes, reminding us of the timeless human impulse to imbue objects with meaning. The eye motif, and its function as a signifier for protection, shows a cyclical journey through diverse cultures. Atkinson uses the vase as a vessel, not only of liquid, but of cultural memory.