Dish with the story of "Hob in the Well" 1750 - 1760

Editor: We are looking at a ceramic plate titled "Dish with the story of "Hob in the Well" made around 1750-1760 by the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory. I love the fluted edges. The colours pop against the white background, almost like a little stage set. It seems like it depicts a simple, charming story...but I can’t quite put my finger on what’s happening! What are your initial thoughts when you see this? Curator: It feels a little bit like peeking into a dream, doesn’t it? This plate pulls us into a world crafted with a light, almost playful touch. Porcelain itself carries so much history – trade routes, secrets passed down through generations. Notice how the story unfolds in such an intimate space. What details really grab your attention? Editor: I’m drawn to the well itself. It's so colorful and abstract, almost a character of its own, with these expressive, free-flowing, vibrant washes of blues and reds and… Curator: Ah, yes, the well! Imagine it as a sort of portal. Does it strike you as ordinary? What's special about the setting? Editor: Definitely not ordinary, what strikes me are the stylized, colourful and imaginative renditions of water, of flora in a simplified, yet evocative manner. The space feels alive and energetic! What story might be represented? Curator: Pottery often captured popular stories; the figures might reflect social dynamics or moral tales that resonated with the plate’s user. “Hob in the Well” must’ve carried some cultural relevance. Imagine conversations unfolding around this plate, interpretations debated over tea! I find that particularly fascinating, this sense of everyday art sparking connection and storytelling across time. Editor: It is true. It changes my whole view on it - no longer just an object, but a conversational piece! Curator: Precisely. Now you can see that just holding it makes you have new dreams…