Plate c. 1904 - 1905

This plate was made by Richard Riemerschmid, a leading figure in the German applied arts, but precisely when is unknown. Riemerschmid was a key member of the Deutscher Werkbund, an association of artists, architects, designers, and industrialists. Founded in 1907, the Werkbund aimed to improve the quality of German products by uniting art and industry. This plate embodies that goal, combining simple, elegant design with mass production techniques. The plate's understated decoration reflects the Werkbund's broader ambition to reform German taste and culture. By promoting functional, well-designed objects, they sought to elevate everyday life and foster a sense of national identity. The success of the Werkbund shows the power of institutions to shape artistic production and influence the reception of art. We need to delve into the archives of design history to learn more about this and other similar objects.