Plate c. 1755

Curator: Here we have a beautiful example of 18th-century decorative art, a plate crafted by the Strasbourg Pottery and Porcelain Factory around 1755. Its porcelain body is delicately painted with tempera, showcasing a vibrant floral arrangement. Editor: It strikes me as quite delicate. There's something almost wistful about the pastel palette against the stark white. A very typical rococo mood, don't you think? Curator: Absolutely. The Rococo period was all about embracing ornamentation and lightness, and this plate exemplifies that. Examining these objects offers insight into the lives of the privileged class, those who possessed them, revealing their engagement with artistry and beauty in everyday items. I am intrigued by the ways that floral decoration could convey certain ideas about femininity, class and the natural world at this historical moment. Editor: Floral imagery, indeed. These flowers feel meticulously chosen. The rose, a clear symbol of love and beauty, the carnation, possibly representing affection. These visual cues, set against the opulence of porcelain speak volumes about the culture from which they sprung. There’s even what seems to be a little butterfly—or perhaps some other winged insect—adorning the plate's upper edge. What meaning can we tease from it, I wonder? Is this about transient beauty, perhaps? Curator: It is possible. We cannot overlook, though, the broader colonial context surrounding luxury items like porcelain. Demand and consumption depended upon the subjugated labor of enslaved or colonized people and their land, so the enjoyment of the plate was made possible at significant ethical expense. Editor: A vital perspective to consider. This piece is not just about beauty; it encapsulates broader historical currents. Curator: Precisely. This plate, seemingly simple, holds complex layers of social, historical and aesthetic meaning, if we just know how to see them. Editor: I concur completely. Looking closer allows us to see so much beyond just pretty objects and their symbolism.