Plate 1785 - 1799

This plate was created by de Porceleyne Lampetkan out of earthenware and tin glaze. Its material and mode of production are rooted in the traditions of European ceramics. The plate's appearance is profoundly influenced by the characteristics of earthenware: a relatively coarse and porous clay body. The tin glaze not only provides a smooth, white surface, but also creates a canvas for intricate decoration. This involved skilled hand-painting, with motifs applied using brushes and pigments. The act of painting transforms a utilitarian object into a decorative one. We can also consider the social context in which this plate was made. Pottery workshops like de Porceleyne Lampetkan were centers of labor, where skilled artisans collaborated to produce ceramics for a growing consumer market. By examining the materials, making processes, and social context of this plate, we gain a richer understanding of its cultural significance, blurring the boundaries between fine art and craft.