Waterkan, behorende bij beker en blad, met decor met hanen c. 1920

Editor: So, here we have a ceramic water jug – part of a set, actually – crafted around 1920 by Plateelbakkerij De Distel. The stylized rooster decoration is catching my eye, it's Art Nouveau but also very graphic. How would you interpret this piece in its time? Curator: Well, imagine the dining table, right? Post World War I, a bit of whimsy, but also, this abstracted rooster feels like a celebration of domestic life – resilience in beauty, perhaps. I see a world trying to reclaim joy through decorative flourish. What do you make of the colors? Editor: The dark palette and limited hues almost mute the vibrancy. It’s decorative but not overtly cheerful, lending to a sense of restrained luxury. Does the color choice say something about the status this object was intended for? Curator: Exactly. Though seemingly a quotidian object, the muted tones signal tastefulness among a discerning class. Mass produced but designed to evoke a handcrafted feel – a popular aspiration back then. What story does that rooster tell *you*? Editor: That's a funny question! I initially read it as mere decoration, but perhaps it is a reminder of home, a little everyday symbol? It really blends symbolism and function. Curator: Precisely! It’s a grounding presence amid the waves of change that time represented. Looking closer at its details like the little dots surrounding it, they bring forth a curious, playful energy. What are your thoughts? Editor: Thinking about the time, those elements really do signal at both tradition and a push towards something modern, making the whole object even richer. I learned a lot! Curator: Me too! It's a fantastic example of how everyday items can hold so much history and emotion if we really look.