Plate 1745 - 1755

Editor: This charming ceramic plate, a creation of Paul Hannong sometime between 1745 and 1755, just breathes elegance. The painted roses and little butterfly feel so delicate. What’s your take on this slice of Rococo whimsy? Curator: Whimsy, definitely! It’s like holding a powdered wig and a whispered secret. Rococo was all about ornamentation, wasn't it? More is more. Now, think about what's *not* there: hard lines. The edge of the plate undulates, the roses curl open…what feeling does that evoke? For me it's all playful movement. A rejection of stiff formality in favor of…pleasure. Even dining was a performance. It's such a human quality to try and wring beauty from the most everyday things. Editor: Performance, I like that! So it's not just a plate, it's a stage for a fancy meal? Curator: Exactly! And think about the fleeting nature of a rose, or even a meal! Ephemeral beauty celebrated in fired earth…rather poignant, no? Editor: It is when you put it like that. I'm seeing it as more than just a decorative object now. Thanks! Curator: The joy is in looking, right? It tells a story, but leaves spaces for us to dream within.