Posset pot 1684 - 1687

This English delftware posset pot was crafted in 1687 at the Lambeth Factories. Note the serpent handles, a motif stretching back to antiquity. In ancient Greece, serpents twined around the caduceus symbolized healing and medicine, an association that persisted through the Renaissance. Observe how the serpent's symbolism has evolved: its form remains recognizable, yet its significance shifts, mirroring humanity's changing relationship with health and wellness. Here, they flank scenes of pastoral life, a reflection of the 17th century yearning for harmony with nature, yet their presence also stirs a sense of underlying tension. The serpent, a creature of both healing and temptation, embodies our conflicting desires and anxieties. As it winds through history, the serpent perpetually resurfaces, each time carrying a new, yet subtly connected, layer of meaning, revealing the complex tapestry of human consciousness.