Tray 1735 - 1745

This porcelain tray was created by the Meissen Manufactory in the early 18th century. Note the intricate molded basket-weave pattern, which creates a play of light and shadow around the edge, contrasting with the smooth, reflective surface of the tray's center. The tray's central decoration depicts a whimsical scene in monochrome: foliage growing over a fence with a winged rodent above it. It's the precise and delicate linear work that defines the forms and textures that bring this to life. It’s an interesting take on the exotic Chinoiserie style, popular at the time. We can look at the semiotics of this image and decode what a ‘bat-rat’ means in a symbolic system. Is it meant to destabilize established meanings? Does it invite a kind of playful re-interpretation of cultural motifs, or does it intend to make the viewer question the set boundaries? Consider how the formal elements of the tray—shape, pattern, and decoration—interact to create a piece that is both functional and aesthetically engaging. Art doesn't have a singular meaning; its interpretation evolves over time and through different lenses.