Schotel met zwartgrijze randversiering en gouden filets 1883

This is a porcelain plate with black, grey and gold decoration made by Louis Regout, a Dutch pottery manufacturer, in the late 19th century. Focusing on a simple domestic object like this allows us to explore social and economic shifts in the Netherlands at the time. In the 19th century, technological advancements allowed factories like Regout's to mass-produce affordable ceramics, broadening access to decorative goods amongst the middle class. The restrained neoclassicism in the plate's design, with its symmetrical patterns and muted palette, reflects the conservative tastes of this emerging consumer base. The addition of gold trim however, signals a desire to emulate the luxury once enjoyed exclusively by the aristocracy. Historical records, company archives, and design catalogs can shed light on the commercial strategies and cultural values embedded in this everyday object. By situating this plate within its original context, we understand how industrialization transformed Dutch society, and how decorative arts played a role in shaping class identity.