Bord 1777 - 1790

Editor: This is "Bord," a painted ceramic plate made sometime between 1777 and 1790 by Porseleinfabriek Den Haag, and currently held at the Rijksmuseum. It's delicate, almost jewel-like, with its intricate border and miniature landscape. What do you make of it? Curator: Considering it from a materialist viewpoint, it is important to acknowledge this plate transcends its utilitarian function and enters the realm of display. The painted landscape and delicate border, products of skilled labor, are divorced from basic dining needs. Editor: I see what you mean. It's clearly made for something more than just holding food. Curator: Precisely. Think about the social context. Who was commissioning and using pieces like this? Was it about conspicuous consumption and the demonstration of wealth and taste through carefully crafted, imported materials, and artistic labor? Editor: I hadn't really thought about it that way, but the Rococo style definitely speaks to the luxury of the time. It makes you think about the labor involved in the production. The materials had to be sourced and prepared. Curator: Exactly. And the decoration wasn't just some spontaneous act. There was a whole system of production. Did different artisans specialize in different parts of the design? Who determined the imagery that was used, and how did that reflect social values? It prompts important questions. Editor: I’m beginning to see that a simple plate tells a bigger story of manufacturing, wealth, and culture than I initially expected! Curator: Yes, and remember, even the waste material has its own kind of story to tell!