Bookplate of Frederick Ayer, Jr. 19th-20th century

Editor: This is the "Bookplate of Frederick Ayer, Jr." by Sidney L. Smith, from the Harvard Art Museums. It's a detailed illustration of a lion, framed ornately. What resonates most with you when you look at this piece? Curator: Well, the lion, of course, is an ancient symbol of power, courage, and nobility, often associated with royalty. Given its use in a bookplate, it speaks to Ayer's aspirations or perhaps a family connection to those traits. Have you considered how heraldry uses animal symbols to convey identity? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way! So, the lion isn't just a decoration; it's a declaration of identity? Curator: Precisely! And look at the setting – the lion isn't caged, but free in its domain. This speaks to a sense of personal freedom and perhaps intellectual exploration, fitting for someone who owned books. It suggests Ayer saw himself as a free-thinking individual. Editor: That connection makes so much sense. I’ll never see a bookplate the same way again. Curator: Exactly! Symbols whisper stories, connecting us to the past.