Plate 1720 - 1735

Editor: Here we have a porcelain plate made by the Meissen Manufactory sometime between 1720 and 1735. The black and white scene in the center almost looks like a little play is being staged. What do you see in this piece that brings it to life? Curator: Ah, it’s so much more than a stage, wouldn’t you agree? I feel a delicate dance between cultures here! Look at these figures – echoes of Asian artistry filtered through a European sensibility. Notice the almost playful take on what was understood to be "chinoiserie," that is, the Western interpretation of Chinese motifs. Do you sense it? It’s as if the artist is saying, "Let's imagine faraway lands, but make it utterly ours!" Editor: It’s interesting that you say "imagine." Are we sure these kinds of representations weren't based on firsthand knowledge? Curator: Rarely! Although trade routes were opening, access wasn't the same as understanding. So what we often see is fantasy laced with just a hint of reality. See the flowers circling the scene, the decorative border? It’s a garden where East meets West, at least in the European mind! The figures feel like they're acting out a story, maybe something remembered, or perhaps something dreamed. Editor: It makes me wonder what stories people told themselves about other parts of the world. Curator: Exactly! This isn't just a plate; it's a peek into a specific historical imagination, full of whimsy and invention. Editor: That’s a good point, thanks. I never considered how much storytelling a simple plate could hold.