Open sugar bowl c. 1924 - 1926

This open sugar bowl, made by the Waechtersbach Earthenware Factory in Germany, shows the beauty in repetition and the charm of the handmade. Imagine the factory floor, the workers meticulously painting each tiny square. There is a system to it but also the subtle imperfections which tell you a person was here, leaving their mark. I bet there are other painted objects nearby. I wonder if the squares were painted by one person? Did they do it freehand? The blue grid against the white porcelain is really satisfying. The checkerboard is so organized, but the surface is glossy and uneven, blurring the lines. It is both rational and sensual, with a touch of folk art. The artist has taken something functional and made it into a work of art. Like painters, artisans are in constant dialogue with each other, building on traditions while pushing boundaries. It is the subtle irregularities of a piece like this that makes it truly unique.