Vaas met gewelfde buik, polychroom beschilderd met waterverf c. 1920 - 1922

Curator: Standing before us is a polychrome ceramic vase, crafted between 1920 and 1922 by N.V. Plateelbakkerij Ram, using a mixed-media technique. The piece presents a curious fusion of styles. Editor: It’s unexpectedly muted. The color palette, despite its variety, gives the overall impression of pastel chalks faded by sunlight. I find that oddly soothing and restful, don't you? Curator: It reflects, in my view, the post-World War I societal yearning for tranquility. Decorative arts of this period frequently display a rejection of pre-war flamboyance in favor of calmer aesthetics, aiming to provide psychological respite. The motifs may nod to prior periods but stripped from the overt Imperial gestures. Editor: Structurally, it's quite interesting. The swelling belly of the vase contrasts intriguingly with the slender neck and fluted opening. Then you have the handles or protrusions on the sides which are entirely stylistic. Curator: Those stylistic decisions would have had social implications, echoing broader cultural tastes of the period and also referencing back to well established traditional decorative arts. Pottery was no longer a utilitarian craft alone, but carried strong indications of status and culture. How the Ram factory negotiated shifting social structures in the early twentieth century makes them important for a deeper historical view. Editor: Let's not neglect the abstract patterns that embellish its surface. While floral designs are discernible, they’re warped and dreamlike, almost expressionistic. Curator: Exactly! That deviation from purely representational forms indicates a burgeoning artistic avant-garde, even within the decorative arts sphere. Yet, its broad appeal demonstrates its assimilation into the tastes of a wide audience looking to emulate new cultural attitudes within their homes. Editor: A compelling conversation piece indeed! This vase encapsulates not only aesthetic preferences, but an entire era's social and artistic shifts. Curator: It serves as a material testament to the ways social change and art intertwine—a physical manifestation of collective sentiment made enduring through fired clay and color.