Dessertbord c. 1780

This dessert plate was made by Porseleinfabriek Den Haag in the Netherlands. Though undated, it reflects the Dutch interest in porcelain that grew from the 18th century onward. The painted decoration of birds and flowers echoes popular motifs in European art, referencing the Dutch Republic's connections to global trade and natural history. These images reflect the nation’s relationship to the wider world. Consider the growth of the merchant class during this period, and how the taste for luxury goods supported local manufacturing like the Porseleinfabriek. Such objects also speak to the rising culture of collecting and display among the bourgeoisie. Through auction catalogues, inventories, and probate records, we can learn more about the place of decorative objects in Dutch social life. Porcelain dessert plates were not just functional items. They were also emblems of status, and of a uniquely Dutch sense of style.