Two vases c. 1925

Curator: Here we have “Two Vases,” ceramic pieces crafted around 1925 by N.V. Plateelbakkerij Ram. The pieces embody that fabulous Art Deco style with their bold geometric shapes. What strikes you first about them? Editor: A burst of summer sunlight frozen in clay! It’s as if a lemon grove decided to embrace abstraction. There's such a playfulness with the black outlining contrasting the brighter, softer colors. Curator: The production of these vases showcases a move towards streamlined industrial processes combined with hand-applied decoration, reflecting the tension of art deco—mass production aiming at exclusivity. Notice the simplified floral motifs and the interplay between positive and negative space. The design is intended for reproduction, affordable yet stylish. Editor: Interesting how the repetition of those floral forms, almost like abstracted butterflies, create a feeling of movement. Yet the ceramic medium grounds them, capturing a fleeting moment. The craftsmanship is quite captivating, considering the commercial intention. It feels very personal and whimsical. Curator: The Ram factory exemplifies this period’s blurring of lines between industry and craft. Looking at the factory output shows pieces ranged from unique, individually decorated objects to series of less individualized wares sold throughout The Netherlands, exemplifying art deco democratisation. The ceramic medium allows for replication while each glaze creates slight, unique effects. Editor: It does makes you wonder about the artisans involved, right? Did they see their work as purely functional, or were they invested in the design’s vision? It almost feels like an embrace of the everyday elevating humble pottery to something joyous and, almost, magical. Curator: It's precisely that intersection – the functional and the artistic - where Art Deco finds its strength and relevance. Examining the material properties and the production line reveals as much about social context as aesthetics. Editor: This has certainly shifted my perception from just an aesthetic pleasure to thinking more critically about its history, the hand behind its crafting. Thank you for this insight! Curator: Likewise, I find the continued allure these ceramic works retain is deeply interesting. Thanks for your inspired insight.