Plate c. 1775

Editor: This assortment of earthenware ceramics, collectively titled "Plate" and dating back to around 1775, is neatly organized to almost feel like a tableau vivant. All pieces showcase this incredible rococo-style. What story do you think these objects tell about their time? Curator: It's a fascinating question. When viewing decorative arts such as this, especially from the Rococo era, it's essential to consider the culture of display. Serving pieces, especially matched sets, reflected not only wealth but also participation in a specific visual culture. Think about the rising merchant classes mimicking aristocratic lifestyles - how does a service like this participate in a conversation about class? Editor: So, owning such a set was as much a performance of wealth as it was a practical item? Curator: Precisely! Furthermore, the very act of placing this plate on display—be it for use or aesthetic appreciation—speaks to the era’s emphasis on cultivated taste. The delicate rococo flourishes contribute to a sense of luxuriousness and leisurely refinement. Do you see echoes of Versailles here? Editor: Absolutely! The subtle curves and elegant decorations scream French aristocracy to me. It makes me wonder how readily these designs were adopted and adapted by different social classes and even different nations. Curator: Exactly! The adaptation and dissemination of such styles highlights the complicated role that decorative objects played. On one hand they created social boundaries, but on the other, created means of access. I wonder who had access to this earthenware set in Minneapolis, where it resides now? Editor: I hadn't considered that point, the entire existence of something as commonplace as dinnerware turns out to be so entrenched with societal structures. Thanks for pointing that out. Curator: Of course. Examining these plates through a social lens truly underscores their active role in shaping historical narratives of wealth, power, and cultural aspiration.