Cup and saucer c. 1924 - 1926

Editor: Here we have "Cup and Saucer", earthenware from Waechtersbach Earthenware Factory, made circa 1924 to 1926. I'm struck by how geometric and… functional it seems. The repeating blue squares offer an interesting decorative element on a useful object. What do you make of it? Curator: Precisely. One immediately notices the calculated repetition of forms. The interplay between the circular shapes—the plates, the bowls, the pot—and the grid of the blue squares creates a visual tension. The negative space is as vital as the positive form. Editor: So you’re saying the empty space between the objects is important, not just the pieces themselves? Curator: Indeed. The arrangement dictates the perception of form. Note also the color palette; the stark white against the deliberate blue introduces another structural layer. What impact do you feel this choice creates? Editor: It feels crisp, almost austere. The simplicity keeps it from being too busy, despite all the shapes. Curator: Exactly. It highlights the intrinsic design. Consider, as well, how the pattern unifies the disparate forms, transforming individual vessels into a cohesive, designed family of forms. The very regularity is, in itself, the message. Editor: That's a compelling idea—the repetition creates a visual vocabulary that speaks louder than any individual piece. I never thought about it that way. Curator: The piece encourages an examination of how forms work together. The simplicity itself creates a complexity of readings. Editor: Thanks! I'm seeing it now with a completely different eye for structure.