Dish 1757 - 1780

Editor: Here we have a charming porcelain dish, created sometime between 1757 and 1780 by the Tournai manufactory. The floral designs have a lovely, almost ghostly quality in grayscale against the white. What strikes you most about the imagery on this piece? Curator: I find myself drawn to the delicate balance of life and fragility depicted here. The floral arrangements aren't just decorative; they're mnemonic symbols rooted in the fleeting nature of existence, wouldn't you agree? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. I was focused on the rococo style and the lovely scalloped edge. Curator: Yes, and within that style the chosen botanical elements speak volumes. Each flower possesses an implicit, inherited language. Do you think there are multiple possible meanings? How would you define that language, particularly in light of this being a dining object? Editor: Well, perhaps they are emblems of good fortune or symbols related to hospitality? The flowers almost seem contained within the boundaries of the dish. Curator: Precisely! Consider the deeper layers: a plate presents sustenance but is, itself, fragile. A symbolic representation of plenty contained, enjoyed in a mindful state because of its delicate quality. Look closely, does that reflection make this dish more than decorative? Editor: That's a really interesting way of thinking about it. So, it becomes a reflection, both literally and figuratively, on our own transient enjoyment of life’s offerings. Curator: Exactly! It's not just dinnerware. The dish captures a fleeting moment, encouraging a conscious acknowledgement and respect of time. Food as a ritual of gratitude! Editor: I will never look at porcelain the same way again! It's amazing to realize the hidden depths within something so seemingly simple.