Tête-à-tête, bestaande uit verschillende delen en beschilderd met lelies 1900

Curator: This is a ceramic "Tête-à-tête," a tea or chocolate set for two, crafted around 1900 by the N.V. Haagsche Plateelfabriek Rozenburg. It features lily motifs, typical of the Art Nouveau style. Editor: The first thing that strikes me is its aristocratic elegance! There’s a regal quality, a sense of stylized formality almost as if frozen from a royal painting of a family crest. Curator: Indeed! Notice the emphasis on refined materials and meticulous craftsmanship. Ceramic production at this time was undergoing significant industrialization; however, Rozenburg still prized artisanal skill and design individuality. Editor: The heraldic shields are prevalent. These recurring symbols speak to the rising and shifting of identities. The maker boldly imprints its signature, its very essence, onto each piece, signifying not just craft, but identity and purpose. The shields give the otherwise florid Art Nouveau design a sense of order. Curator: Precisely. The lilies are quite deliberate in their use, flowing organically to add a touch of grace, speaking to themes of beauty, sophistication, and potentially, given the date, reflecting a burgeoning national artistic identity separate from France, despite being stylistically of its time. Editor: And they provide a visual continuity across the different parts. From the slender spout of the pitcher to the curve of the cups, to the tray… even a repeating idea contributes to an enduring legacy, a cultural memory. Curator: Consider too the act of sharing: the "tête-à-tête" concept suggests intimacy and social ritual. Think of it as a stage set for communication, a tableau crafted through specialized labor and careful handling of clay. It's function elevates the object as an icon. Editor: Looking at this piece makes me reflect on art nouveau in a wider way. It's less an isolated movement, but another manifestation of a historical yearning to invest everyday objects with meaningful imagery that extends back to the origins of civilization. Curator: A fascinating perspective on decorative arts of the time. By viewing process and usage, this “tête-à-tête” invites a reassessment of hierarchical categorizations separating high art from everyday craft. Editor: Agreed. The object embodies how symbolism bridges perceived divides in cultural expression. Thank you for shining light on those qualities!