Saucer 1720 - 1735

This porcelain saucer was made by the Meissen Manufactory, decorated with delicate Chinoiserie scenes. Observe the central figure tending a fire, an act resonating with ancient sacrificial rites and alchemical transformations. Such scenes, popularized during the Enlightenment, reflect a fascination with the exotic East, blending reality and fantasy. This act of tending to the fire can be traced back to the ancient Roman cult of Vesta, where priestesses guarded the sacred flame, a symbol of the state's security and continuity. The image of the hearth, the focal point of home and ritual, sparks our collective memory. It is a potent symbol, evoking feelings of warmth, security, and the transformative power of fire, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. This icon has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.