Plate from the "Yellow Lion" Service 1728 - 1731

Editor: Here we have a plate from the "Yellow Lion" service, made by Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. It feels delicate, with those sparse floral and animal motifs. What do you see in this piece, beyond its aesthetic appeal? Curator: I see the complexities of cultural appropriation. This plate exemplifies "chinoiserie," a European interpretation of Asian aesthetics. How do we reconcile the beauty of the object with the problematic power dynamics inherent in its creation? Editor: So, the plate isn’t just a plate; it's a symbol of something larger. Curator: Exactly. It prompts us to question who has the authority to represent whom, and the legacy of colonialism within decorative arts. These objects become charged with meaning. Editor: That makes me see it very differently. Thank you. Curator: And thank you for helping to unpack these difficult questions.