Butter dish c. 1759 - 1771

Curator: What a darling object! Just the shape of it reminds me of sugar cubes and dollhouses. Editor: Yes, there's a captivating gentleness to this "Butter dish", crafted by Weesper porseleinfabriek sometime between 1759 and 1771. Made from ceramic, the delicate Rococo styling and figural vignettes are quite striking. Curator: Figural is an understatement; those pastoral scenes almost float on the surface, little dreamscapes clinging to the porcelain. Is it just me, or does the color palette evoke a sense of nostalgia? A longing for simpler, more fanciful times? Editor: You’ve hit on something profound; the Rococo era often idealized pastoral scenes, reflecting a yearning for simpler times among the elite. Each image feels like a fleeting glimpse into an idyllic garden, where elegant figures pursue leisure. There is no indication about what the subjects represent in their scenes - it could be from well known literary texts, a theatrical tableau, or simply images of figures idling in nature. What draws the eye here is what connects us with this era. Curator: And the green floral knob! I am curious, is it practical to serve something from here? And does it mirror an interest in botany during that period? The leaves and bud-like top have that scientific illustration appeal too! Editor: Absolutely. Rococo design often incorporated natural motifs as decorative elements. And you raise an important question. Consider it in tandem with the history of serving culture - the performance of having things on display, from banquets to the quotidian butter. Food serving was an exercise in visual design. Curator: I never considered its original presentation purpose but you are spot on about that performance, which extends to the very images! To think of people admiring it between slices of bread slathered with butter makes the mundane utterly sublime. Editor: That’s what I love about the language of symbols – and about this lovely object! I feel as if I've been transported back in time with the images. Curator: Absolutely! Its charm resonates beyond mere utility. It speaks volumes of the epoch, inviting us to relish a taste of a bygone reverie.