Écuelle with cover 1793 - 1830

Editor: This striking ceramic piece is an 'Écuelle with cover', created sometime between 1793 and 1830 by the Moulin Manufactory. I'm immediately drawn to the swirling patterns in the ceramic, almost like looking at marbled paper. It has such a unique decorative style. What catches your eye? Curator: The swirling, marbled effect you note is indeed crucial. It draws attention to the materiality itself. Consider how the Moulin Manufactory utilizes ceramic, not just as a functional medium, but as a field for abstract composition. The swirling patterns aren't merely decorative; they actively disrupt the surface, preventing a single, unified reading of the object. Observe also the placement of floral ornamentation, the consistency of form and repetition – the flower as finial, flower as handle adornment. Where is the eye led and why? Editor: So, instead of seeing it as a pretty bowl, we should focus on how the patterns and flowers play against each other on the surface? Curator: Precisely. Disregard, for a moment, its intended function. Consider the interplay of textures: the smoothness of the glaze against the rougher, applied floral elements. Notice the deliberate ambiguity – is it imitating marble or is it embracing its own ceramic identity? The handles mirror one another perfectly, creating a harmonious rhythm when you scan the piece as a whole. Editor: I see! It's not about what it is, but how the artist uses the materials and shapes to create something interesting to look at, irrespective of its functionality. It definitely prompts one to consider the material more closely, even touch. Thank you. Curator: You're welcome. And remember: formalism reveals the art in the everyday object.