Plate c. 1936

This monochrome plate, made by Helmut Hiatt, uses ceramic material to engage with imagery typically seen in paintings and prints. The material here – earthenware – speaks to the mass production of decorative arts. The image on the plate is a transfer print, a process that allowed for detailed images to be applied to ceramics quickly and relatively cheaply. The scene on the plate is likely a nostalgic view of urban life, and the image is framed by floral motifs, making this a visually pleasing mass-produced object. Although plates like this would have been made in vast quantities, the artistry lies in the skilled application of the transfer print, and the maker's attention to detail. Everyday objects such as this plate show how art and design can be integrated into daily life, rather than set apart on a pedestal.