Vaas met bolvormig lichaam, lange rechte hals en uitstaande mondrand c. 1880 - 1920

Curator: Isn't this sweet? It reminds me of something Beatrix Potter might have dreamed up! Editor: It's charming, isn’t it? We’re looking at an earthenware vase, created somewhere between 1880 and 1920 by De Porceleijne Fles, now residing here in the Rijksmuseum. Curator: "Charming" is a perfect word. There’s an undeniable naive quality, a handmade feeling... Almost as if a child decorated it. It definitely has the hallmarks of Art Nouveau with its natural motifs, although...I think it is missing some of the finesse of high Art Nouveau. What does its place in the museum context tell you? Editor: Well, the accessibility of earthenware would have democratized the ownership of decorative objects, putting "art" into the hands of a broader public, you might say. It moves decorative pottery out of the realm of solely expensive porcelain. Curator: Interesting, the piece seems more humble somehow, the simple depiction of birds and leaves around its round body giving off cozy domestic vibes. It lacks that aspirational quality, you see? The bulbous body flows organically into that wonderfully dotted neck. The color palette is quite earthy as well, not overly showy. What purpose do you think objects like this served? Editor: Beyond the simple vase, these objects performed a crucial function of conveying national pride and shaping the emerging national brand during the rise of industrial production in the Netherlands. Pottery factories were crucial symbols of wealth creation and this would have added value to ordinary life through its presence in the home. Curator: It's wild to think this quaint vase was caught up in industrial-era nationalism! I still feel this vase speaks of individual expression rather than industry. Perhaps an artist finding a voice. Editor: It is fascinating how intimate and yet impersonal something can feel across such a distance of time and circumstance. I appreciate how this single item reveals so many cultural forces from different perspectives! Curator: Absolutely! It feels like a keyhole into another era, and hopefully a few personal dreams.