No. 12 c. 1780

This is Plate No. 12, made by the Porcelain Axe Factory in Delft, its date of production unknown. The plate presents a monochromatic tableau of daily life, depicting two figures mending fishing nets. The choice to depict such a scene speaks volumes. It suggests an audience deeply connected to maritime trades and their stories. Are the figures laboring, content or burdened? There is an inherent dignity to the representation of labor that invites us to consider the value and the human cost of industry. Consider, too, the broader context of Delftware production. Dutch Delftware became popular as a cheaper alternative to Chinese porcelain during a time of increased trade and global exchange. In this context, the plate becomes more than just a decorative object. It is a canvas that reflects economic shifts, cultural aspirations, and perhaps, the quiet resilience of ordinary people whose lives were deeply intertwined with the rhythms of the sea.