Rond bord van hardgebakken aardewerk; creamware. c. 1780 - 1800

This creamware plate was made by Sewells & Donkin, using hard-baked earthenware. The plate's design immediately draws the eye to its interplay of solids and voids. Its circular form, emphasized by the continuous looping rope design, is destabilized by evenly spaced perforations. These openings, alternating between circular and rectangular shapes, disrupt the plate's conventional function, challenging our understanding of utility and form. The creamy hue, achieved through the firing process, envelops the plate, creating a warm yet subdued effect. The smooth, unbroken surface of the plate's center contrasts sharply with the intricately carved border. This juxtaposition invites questions about the structural integrity and symbolic value embedded within the plate's architecture. The plate isn’t merely functional, it embodies philosophical implications, raising the question, do these ornamental flourishes serve to elevate its status or undermine its original purpose?