Platter 1827 - 1830

Editor: This ceramic platter, created by John and William Ridgway between 1827 and 1830, is surprisingly captivating. I'm struck by how this functional object depicts such a formal architectural scene! What do you find most interesting about this piece? Curator: It's a fascinating object, isn’t it? Considering its production in the early 19th century, what's compelling is how this piece speaks to the burgeoning sense of national identity in the United States. The central image, possibly depicting a government building or a similar public institution, presents an idealized vision of civic life, while the floral border adds an element of refinement fitting with Neoclassical tastes. Editor: I hadn't considered the nationalism angle. So, the image choice would have had social and political implications. Does the fact that it is a mass-produced object, a platter, change how we should see its symbolic meaning? Curator: Precisely. Its accessibility suggests a deliberate effort to disseminate these values widely. The manufacturing process democratizes the imagery. Who gets to own and interact with art matters. Where would it be displayed, and what conversations did it spark? These factors define its public life. Editor: It's amazing to think about this object being part of someone's everyday life. It challenges the idea of art being solely for the elite. Curator: Absolutely. Think of how political cartoons get printed in daily newspapers now. That's exactly how this platter could have played out, offering insight and commentary during a meal or social gathering. Editor: Seeing this as an accessible artwork transforms my understanding completely! Thanks. Curator: And considering the platter in a global market, it perhaps served as propaganda too, offering British consumers insights, factual or skewed, into life and architecture across the pond. Always consider for whom it was intended. Food for thought, indeed!