Platter - "Connecticut Arms" c. 1936

This platter featuring the Connecticut Arms was made by Helmut Hiatt sometime between 1855 and 1995. We see the state's coat of arms prominently displayed in the center, surrounded by decorative floral motifs and the state's name. This platter speaks to a sense of civic pride and identity. It invites us to consider the social and cultural context in which it was made. What does it mean to display the state's arms on a domestic object like this? Is it about celebrating Connecticut's history and values? Perhaps it is a way of asserting a particular vision of the state's identity. The surrounding floral motifs add a decorative element, but they also speak to the natural beauty of Connecticut. To understand this platter fully, we might delve into archival records, historical societies, and museum collections, to find similar examples of decorative art, or to understand the vision of the State's symbols and imagery. Art is so much more than just aesthetics; it's a window into the values and beliefs of a particular time and place.