Dish 1766 - 1791

This tin-glazed earthenware dish was made by De Porceleyne Fles Manufactory in Delft. Central to its design is a stylized floral arrangement. Flowers, across cultures and epochs, have been invested with rich symbolism, embodying themes of ephemerality, beauty, and renewal. Consider the vanitas paintings of the Dutch Golden Age, where wilting blooms served as memento mori, reminders of life's transient nature. The floral motif’s journey continues: think of Art Nouveau, where organic forms and flowing lines echoed the natural world, or even contemporary art where floral patterns evoke themes of memory and identity. The emotional resonance of flowers touches something primal within us. A symbol of both the vibrancy and fragility of life, inviting us to reflect on our own place within the grand tapestry of existence. It is a symbol that persists, blossoming anew with each telling.