Bord, met op het plat een herder en een herderin in een tuin c. 1853 - 1867

This plate, decorated by N.A. Bosch, depicts a shepherd and shepherdess in a garden setting. The image evokes the pastoral fantasies popular in 18th-century Europe, particularly within aristocratic circles. These idyllic scenes offered an escape from the realities of urban life and social hierarchies, yet they were often consumed by those same elites, adorning their homes and tableware. The blue and white Delftware style itself, while originating in the Netherlands, was heavily influenced by Chinese porcelain, reflecting global trade routes and cultural exchange. Consider the institutions that supported this kind of art. Wealthy patrons commissioned decorative objects like this plate to showcase their refined taste and status. The artist, working within a specific workshop or manufactory, catered to these demands, producing objects that reinforced existing social norms. To fully understand this plate, we would need to research the specific social and economic context of its creation. By examining trade records, workshop inventories, and patronage networks, we can gain a deeper appreciation for its historical significance.