Plate 1787 - 1815

This plate was crafted by Thomas Badger in the late 18th to early 19th century. The circular form, so primary, speaks to a deep fascination across epochs. It is a cosmic symbol – the sun, the moon, the endless cycle of life and death. Consider mandalas, ancient symbols of wholeness found in Eastern religions, or the halo, which denotes divinity in Christian iconography. In this unassuming plate, we see a microcosm of these grander, more spiritual motifs. Its emptiness invites a projection of our desires and needs. Over time, this vessel has held sustenance, becoming a silent witness to countless meals and conversations. The scratches and marks that time has left become a map of human interaction. Observe how this simple circle resonates with our collective memory. In the cyclical nature of its form, we see the eternal recurrence of human experience.