Schotel met op het plat een vaas met bloemen en vier objecten met linten 1863 - 1958

This ceramic plate with underglaze decoration was made by N.V. Société Céramique. The plate is conceived through a process of layering and repetition. There’s a central image of a vase of flowers, surrounded by four objects trailing ribbons. What’s so great is the way these are all contained within a border of looping ribbon-like forms, punctuated by the occasional floral motif. The plate's surface has this great smooth sheen, perfect for showing off all those rich colours. The floral decorations in the centre are rendered in bright red and green, contrasting the deep blacks and blues. The colour is really built up in this plate, creating a pleasing sense of depth and texture, despite the smooth surface of the plate. See those ribbon-like motifs, in particular: the way they coil, twist and turn – they almost seem to vibrate. The design of this plate reminds me of the work of someone like Henri Matisse. Like Matisse, the makers here manage to convey so much with a series of simple, yet highly effective gestures. In this way, the plate embodies a vision of art as an ongoing exchange of ideas.