Wandbord met rozet en vegetatieve motieven 1887

Curator: This ceramic piece is called "Wandbord met rozet en vegetatieve motieven," made in 1887 by N.V. Haagsche Plateelfabriek Rozenburg. The intricacy of its decoration is quite striking, isn’t it? There's something almost hypnotic about the concentric circles and stylized motifs. What are your first impressions? Editor: It does draw you in! The detailed patterns feel both organic and very deliberately designed. The central rosette and the surrounding vegetative elements are balanced, but there is something vaguely familiar, perhaps referencing non-Western designs? What do you see in this piece, especially regarding any symbolism? Curator: The artist borrows visual language from diverse cultural memories. The rosette, for instance, isn't just a pretty shape. Throughout history, across various cultures, the rosette symbolized cyclical time, the cosmos, and even spiritual enlightenment. The piece flirts with Art Nouveau’s love of natural forms, but transforms it with dense, almost overwhelming detail. Does this density alter its Art Nouveau foundations? Editor: I can see that now. The rosette makes me think of mandalas, and the symmetry has a calming effect. The shapes and the combination of natural and constructed designs evoke both the cosmic and earthly realms. Curator: Exactly! And the "vegetatieve motieven," how do they contribute? Are they mere decoration, or do they evoke a deeper, perhaps forgotten, connection to the natural world? Editor: It seems to me, the continuous layering of vegetative patterns might represent growth, transformation and interconnectedness. Almost as if nature itself is an endless rosette, constantly renewing. Curator: I agree! The dialogue between symmetry and asymmetry, between cultural symbol and stylized nature, suggests that meaning is layered, complex, and continuously evolving. That gives me a deeper appreciation of its beauty and conceptual depth. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way, but you are right. I learned something today; thank you for shedding new light on it.