Schotel 1809 - 1814

This small plate was made by the Koninklijke Porseleinfabriek Dommer & Co. The delicate rendering of the bird on the branch, the subtle colours, and the gilt edge speak to the values of refinement and taste that were so prized by the rising European middle classes. The factory was one of several that sprang up in the Netherlands to imitate the porcelain being produced in China. These factories created luxury objects that were used in elite social rituals such as tea and coffee drinking. This plate is a window into the class aspirations and social etiquette of the Dutch bourgeoisie. The bird motif also speaks to a broader cultural interest in the natural world. Historical research helps us to understand how something like a porcelain plate can shed light on the social, economic, and cultural context in which it was made.