Armorial Plate: Silenus on an ass, supported by Bacchic revelers 1517 - 1528

Editor: This is an intriguing ceramic piece titled "Armorial Plate: Silenus on an ass, supported by Bacchic revelers" created by Nicola da Urbino sometime between 1517 and 1528. The characters depicted almost seem to burst from the confines of the circular plate. What strikes me are the rather obvious, maybe humorous symbols. What do you make of its symbolism? Curator: Indeed! It's a fantastic example of Renaissance maiolica. Consider how the artist, Urbino, uses Silenus, the tutor and companion of Dionysus, as a central figure. Traditionally, Silenus embodies wisdom gained through intoxication. But, here, being supported by revelers, riding an ass and associated with an "armorial" (of a noble family, usually), we can appreciate not simply intoxication, but privilege or access to sacred rites granted to those with power. Does that give you any clues? Editor: Yes, certainly more than it did at first glance. So it’s not *just* a fun depiction of inebriation but a symbol of a select few experiencing "divine" experiences? The people with status at the time? Curator: Precisely. Think of the ass, too—often symbolic of stubbornness and foolishness—now carries supposed wisdom. Look at the bacchantes; they’re actively participating, but who benefits from this revelry? It begs us to look at cultural memory. Which values are we continuously circulating, consciously or unconsciously? Are they values for everyone? Editor: I see how the work really goes beyond its initial appearance and becomes a cultural commentary. That’s made me think about other works of art I've looked at previously and whether they should be thought about similarly. I'll have to think on that. Curator: It is an experience that shifts our perception of visual signs through both a personal and historical lens. The echoes resonate.