-Casino Ware- covered dish 1934

Editor: Here we have a ceramic covered dish entitled "-Casino Ware- covered dish" created in 1934 by the Royal Doulton Potteries. The art-deco piece, hailing from England, showcases a fascinating interplay of geometric forms and simple materials. How might you approach its interpretation? Curator: Well, let's consider the context of its production. 1934 was a period marked by economic hardship and social change in England, yet we see these streamlined, almost industrial forms executed in ceramic. It is no accidental marriage: how might this blending of practicality and design aesthetic reflect on labor practices during this era? Editor: That's interesting; so you are suggesting we need to look at this everyday object within a broader social and manufacturing perspective? Curator: Exactly. This piece isn't merely decorative. The application of Art Deco principles to everyday objects such as this implies an aspiration to uplift domestic life, to infuse utility with elegance accessible to a wider market. Do you observe any marks or detailing in this dish? Editor: Yes, there appear to be some decorative lines, and circular motifs. And you can easily mass produce those, right? Curator: Indeed, how do these potentially mass-producible motifs, and its creation using the techniques associated with ceramics, contrast to notions of fine art or even more exclusive design objects? Editor: That definitely broadens my understanding, highlighting art's accessibility. Curator: Precisely. Analyzing the materials and their manipulations allows us to investigate who had access to them, what kind of labor went into them, and how such objects shaped everyday lives. Considering this materialist view enriches how we appreciate and comprehend decorative art.