Plate 1838

Editor: Here we have a "Plate" dating back to 1838, housed at The Met. It's attributed to Conrad Ranninger, made of earthenware, and features painted decoration. It’s beautifully imperfect. Those leaves have a rusty, autumn vibe against the yellowish background. It has a certain charm. What stands out to you in this piece? Curator: That’s a lovely observation. It has an undeniable folk art quality, doesn't it? I’m drawn to how seemingly simple materials and techniques create this quite intimate image. Imagine someone carefully placing those leaves, maybe freshly fallen. There's a beautiful transience captured here, a tiny poem about the passage of time. How does it make you feel? Does it trigger any emotions for you? Editor: It’s humble, yet there’s something very sincere about it. I guess, looking at it, I feel… peaceful. It’s like finding beauty in something ordinary. Curator: Precisely. The rough texture of the earthenware grounds it. This isn’t about perfect form or dazzling technique. It’s about the joy of creating something beautiful, something to be cherished in the everyday. One could imagine it on a mantelpiece in a cozy cabin. It even feels rather 'shabby chic' decades before its time. Editor: So, its value isn't necessarily in the craft so much as the sentiment? Curator: In a way, yes. While technical skill is always appreciated, here, the expressive quality – the sheer love poured into decorating this plate with simple leaf motifs – arguably speaks volumes more. I'd go so far as to say, it transcends the merely decorative. Editor: I see what you mean! Looking closer at the colors now I see different tones and brushstrokes; I wonder, what stories could this plate tell about its past? Curator: I am always so interested in where art is from... or what purpose an item served to someone who lived so long ago... I love imagining the details of someone's life from it. Thank you for noticing these. Editor: I'll never look at old pottery the same way!