Plate (one of two) 1735 - 1745

Editor: Here we have a porcelain plate, likely from a set, created sometime between 1735 and 1745. It’s currently housed at the Met. I’m really drawn to how these birds are rendered almost like engravings. What story do you think it's telling? Curator: Consider how images of birds served as potent symbols in the 18th century. The presence of exotic species would have evoked ideas of global trade, scientific discovery, and even colonial power. These weren't just pretty decorations, they carried cultural weight. Editor: So the types of birds included are important? It's not just any generic bird that one might find in Europe? Curator: Precisely! Each species would have held a particular connotation. Notice the detail, which moves toward scientific observation but it's tempered by a desire for the exotic, the unusual, almost as a kind of fantasy about faraway lands. What feeling does it evoke for you, considering its use as a plate? Editor: That's interesting...knowing this piece could have been used to serve food makes me reconsider its purpose. It’s both functional and yet aspirational. Curator: Indeed. Even in daily life, this plate would have prompted reflection on the larger world and humankind's place within it. These images work as both reminders and aspirations for those using them in their everyday lives. Editor: Wow, I didn't expect that a decorative object like a plate could speak volumes about cultural memory. Thank you! Curator: The dialogue between everyday objects and historical memory continues to fascinate me. I'm glad to share my perspective.