Cup and saucer c. 1924 - 1926

Editor: Here we have “Cup and Saucer,” an earthenware and ceramic set, crafted around 1924-1926 by the Waechtersbach Earthenware Factory in Germany. I’m immediately struck by the simple geometric design and the cool blue-and-white palette. What sort of ideas do you see reflected in this design? Curator: Well, the checkerboard pattern itself has a rich history, symbolizing duality, order, and even fate. In this context, consider its placement on domestic objects – it could be interpreted as a playful ordering of daily life. Does the even spacing suggest an attempt to contain a life interrupted by post-war uncertainty? Editor: That’s interesting. The factory's location in Germany… Does that offer any other cultural clues? Curator: Absolutely. During the 1920s, there was a yearning for simple, functional design after the decadence of earlier periods, a sensibility influenced by the Bauhaus movement, where everyday objects were valued for practicality and beauty. Are these practical shapes, made more human and engaging with the familiar and timeless checkerboard motif? Editor: It does seem like it. So the checkerboard motif, mass production, and practical use combine to represent a specific post-war desire? Curator: Precisely. It’s like they are reaching back to basic, comforting designs, yet embracing new industrial techniques for widespread consumption. Look at the slightly imperfect hand painted design too - as if resisting complete automation. It becomes less about ostentation and more about bringing a quiet, organized elegance into everyday living. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about regarding the interplay between tradition and modernity. Thanks! Curator: It is in these small, humble objects that grand ideas often find their most enduring expression.