Platter with crocodile, snake, and lizard 1865 - 1885

Curator: I find this "Platter with Crocodile, Snake, and Lizard" fascinating; it dates from between 1865 and 1885. The work is located here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and it displays an unusual tableau in ceramic. What are your first impressions? Editor: Immediately, there’s a powerful sense of depth, with the animals raised in what looks like surprisingly high relief, lending almost a three-dimensional, sculptural quality to the piece. The glaze captures the textures in detail—from the crocodile’s scales to the leafy undergrowth, doesn't it? Curator: Absolutely. Pieces such as this became fashionable, reflecting a growing interest in the natural world. Serving platters like this weren’t merely functional, they provided a talking point reflecting social status. Editor: I am drawn to the interplay of light and shadow across its surface. It accentuates the dynamic tension between the different creatures. Consider how the glossy finish on the snake contrasts with the matte texture of the leaves nearby, that creates depth, yes? Curator: Yes, and it represents that interest in categorizing the natural world, the rising of the bourgeoisie, who could buy them from World’s Fair exhibitions as statements of progress. These works also were proudly exhibited, creating an intersection of social standing and industrial production. Editor: The composition strikes me too; all of the different parts working together, despite the inherent chaos of the subject matter itself. A still, yet lively scene—a study of balance? Curator: I agree. Thinking about these plates reminds me how deeply objects become woven into identity. It’s more than just what’s represented on the surface. Editor: I concede. In a purely aesthetic consideration, I see something quite beautiful. Thanks for opening my mind to those other discussions about purpose. Curator: And thank you for bringing focus back to the visual artistry. It's enriching to remember that even everyday objects hold a mirror up to society.