Plate c. 15th century

Curator: Before us, we have a ceramic plate, probably dating back to the 15th century and of Asian origin. It's anonymous work held in the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The body is made of earthenware with a celadon glaze and underglaze painting done in tempera. Editor: It's quite charming. The palette is muted, almost like seafoam fading in sunlight. There's a subtle elegance to the cracked glaze. You know, imperfections that suggest great age. Curator: The artist's intention might have been symbolic. Notice the placement of what seem to be cross-like motifs distributed evenly. In certain East Asian visual traditions, that figure symbolizes longevity or prosperity. The plate isn’t just an object. Editor: I'm struck by the repetitive process that went into this. How each tiny cross demanded careful handling and consistent application of color. One slip-up in the firing could destroy all that labor! What was daily life like for the artisan and their assistants producing everyday items of this refinement? It provokes thoughts about skilled labor, consumption, and class distinctions back then. Curator: And perhaps it points to wider cultural ideas, as ceramics and clay were often considered embodiments of earth or ancestors. When used ritually or placed on display, vessels reinforced family lineage by visually uniting different temporalities – those of present communities with deceased elders. Editor: But looking at it, do you think someone eating dumplings off this? Or maybe was meant to be decorative? What do those glaze fissures reveal about firing and aging for these ceramic objects and their durability across long durations, given natural decomposition tendencies within matter? Curator: That's intriguing to consider because utility and symbolism need not contradict themselves, of course, both dimensions enhance overall appreciation greatly, really inviting greater contextual study overall! Editor: Definitely, knowing some practical information makes the ceramic sing with silent human endeavor!