Hanger met een ruitvormige decoratie c. 1575 - 1635

This drawing of a pendant with rhombic decoration was made by Corbinian Saur. It is a testament to the enduring power of symbolic forms. The central motif is the lozenge, or diamond shape. At its origin, it’s an ancient symbol for the vulva, and by extension, feminine power and fertility. This symbol has traversed epochs. We can trace it to Paleolithic art, where similar shapes evoke the mystery of life-giving forces. This primal connection, deeply embedded in the collective unconscious, re-emerges in Saur’s pendant. The symbol is stylized, tamed, and set within a framework of elegant ornamentation. Yet the echoes of its potent origins linger, triggering subconscious associations. Consider the ribbons and ornate flourishes surrounding the diamond; these are indicative of the Baroque era's emphasis on opulence and the transient nature of beauty. The contrast between the raw, elemental symbolism of the lozenge and its elaborate presentation speaks to our complicated relationship with primal forces, both personal and universal.