Blaker met oor 1895 - 1904

Editor: Here we have “Blaker met oor,” a ceramic and earthenware piece – a candlestick holder to be exact - crafted somewhere between 1895 and 1904 by Firma Wed. N.S.A. Brantjes en Co. I’m struck by the colours: earthy greens, deep blues, almost as if peering into a pond reflecting the sky. What draws your eye? Curator: That pond image resonates! The swirling blues *do* feel like murky depths reflecting the ephemeral. It's a very characteristic Art Nouveau embrace of nature, softened and filtered through memory, don’t you think? This isn’t about a scientifically accurate rendering of a leaf, more a romantic impression. Do you find yourself thinking about who might have held it, centuries ago? Editor: Absolutely! I imagine it sitting on someone's bedside table, providing a soft glow for late-night reading. Given that the production went until 1904, does the company's work connect at all to the First World War in terms of themes or visual style? Curator: A great question. Stylistically, the fluidity and dreaminess would probably remain consistent, a nostalgic embrace. But the *themes*, certainly, the encroaching darkness would find its way into even the most decorative piece, reflecting a fragility beneath the beautiful surface. What about the asymmetrical nature of this intrigues you, in particular? Editor: I am very interested in decorative art that served everyday functions: to beautify utilitarian forms of expression! And, as an art form, this particular artware bridges fine and applied arts in interesting ways. Curator: Precisely! It asks us to see the world with enchanted eyes and makes me ponder whether this little piece *anticipated* the storm that was coming. It's just... evocative, you know? Thanks for drawing it to our attention. Editor: My pleasure. This was more insightful than my lectures on Art Nouveau artware!