Plate (part of a set) 1759 - 1793

Curator: Here we have a fascinating earthenware plate made at the De Porceleyne Bijl manufactory between 1759 and 1793. Currently, it resides here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It depicts a genre scene related to the month of October. Editor: Immediately I'm struck by how it’s this folksy little narrative trapped on a humble plate! October, harvest time, you know? The whole scene has this playful vibe, like a quirky little stage set with tipsy figures enjoying their labor. It almost feels…satirical, perhaps? Curator: The decoration embodies the taste for genre scenes that became popular in decorative arts during the 18th century. Genre painting allowed for everyday life to be represented. These depictions served varied purposes, including decoration, commemorating certain aspects of life, or perhaps making moralizing statements. Editor: It makes me wonder about the hands that shaped this thing, who chuckled at these scenes. And earthenware is such a primal medium – literally mud transformed! The folks in the scene are bringing in barrels and celebrating. Is this beer or wine in those barrels, I wonder? It makes me wanna raise a glass to those hardworking stiffs. Curator: Considering that this plate has made its way into a museum such as the Metropolitan, its story speaks volumes about shifts in cultural taste and collecting practices, as such seemingly humble or mundane objects gain significance through institutional recognition. The plate isn't just about depicting a month but embodies social hierarchies. Editor: Totally, it’s elevated from kitchenware to cultural artifact! And something about seeing the date hovering overhead gives it this dreamy, almost cinematic quality, like a forgotten film reel discovered in an attic. Now I'm wondering about dinnerware as art! Curator: Thinking about it from today's vantage point really highlights how objects transform as their historical contexts change. This modest plate has a powerful presence now within the larger collection, and makes one ponder larger histories, economics and aesthetic appreciation. Editor: Right, and it gets me wondering about all the stories these objects could tell. So thanks for putting on the plate this time!