18 plates, each decorated with a Netherlandish province 1822

Curator: Before us, we have one of a set of earthenware plates created in 1822, each portraying a different province of the Netherlands. Editor: My immediate impression is one of delicate artistry. The plate emanates a formal, almost cartographic stillness, heightened by its perfect symmetry and the precise rendering of the province. Curator: Indeed. Note the plate’s ceramic construction, likely slip-cast for uniformity. The transfer-printed map allows for a mass production, hinting at a rising sense of national identity consumable for the burgeoning middle class. The guilded edge hints at aspirational luxury, reflecting the era's changing social dynamics. Editor: I'm drawn to how the central map contrasts with the ornamental border. The stark detail of the landscape is offset by these fluid, floral designs, creating a visual tension. It is neoclassical in design, yet softened by decorative motifs. The deep blue sets off the inner space to amplify the overall graphic design. Curator: Precisely. It speaks volumes about access to geographical knowledge, too. Once reserved for elites, the representation of these provinces now extends into everyday objects. The plates can be read as instruments of cultural diffusion, normalizing ideas of nationhood, especially since they're functional objects designed for daily use. Editor: What strikes me as particularly potent is the abstraction inherent in any map, made even more apparent by being applied to a common household item. Its reduction to pure shape and form allows a closer attention to the decorative choices. Curator: A worthy insight. Consider the underglaze decoration and the overglaze enamel – the material decisions determine its final appearance, creating varying levels of durability and color intensity. Editor: These plates showcase how a society literally consumes itself, ingesting its image of itself. It creates a formal distance through the visual representation. The interplay between functionality and representation elevates our understanding. Curator: And, through material culture, provides an important artifact and insight into this period of cultural production. Editor: Exactly! This plate provides fertile ground for interpreting national identity at this time, through an everyday design, form, and its intended functionality.