Kan met tinnen deksel, beschilderd met strooimotief c. 1700

Curator: Let's turn our attention to this ceramic jug, created around 1700 by Johannes Polts. It's adorned with a 'strooimotief,' which translates to a scattered or strewn pattern. Editor: It has a calming effect. The glaze is so gentle. Reminds me of my grandmother’s china, but somehow… fancier? Almost precious. It seems more at home on a noble's table than on Grandma's. Curator: Precisely. Examining such objects provides insight into the hierarchical dynamics of consumption in the Baroque period. Who had access to what kind of craftsmanship? Where were the resources extracted from? What communities were involved in producing or utilizing decorative pottery like this? Its blue and white design nods to cross-cultural influences, connecting local Dutch artisans to global trade routes. Editor: It also reminds me of the sea; that pale blue shade calls to mind waves at a distance or an ethereal mist. And you almost want to reach out to feel the smoothness of the surface. Do you ever think about all the hands involved? From the potter, the decorator, all the way down to the person who sold the jug, even centuries after its making… Curator: Certainly. From the mining of raw materials to the workshops of artisans, the production of such decorative objects was deeply embedded in complex economic and social structures. The global circulation of similar pottery tells a story of both cultural exchange and colonial exploitation. The design, rooted in European traditions, adapted motifs sourced from diverse cultures, resulting in an aesthetic synthesis that mirrors a globalized world. Editor: That's so interesting! I was thinking earlier of just painting my entire bedroom that color. Curator: While the vessel might invoke immediate aesthetic reactions, understanding its production and distribution mechanisms underscores a darker history. Examining the object allows one to connect questions of aesthetics with critical interrogation of historical power dynamics. Editor: Well, it's hard to disconnect personal impressions completely from a piece of artwork, even one this old. Still, thank you for always steering us back to its socio-historical reality! Curator: And thank you for reminding me of the joy these objects can bring, divorced from those readings.