Schaal, beschilderd in blauw met een vogel omgeven door bloemtakken 1730 - 1740

This plate, decorated in blue with a bird among flowering branches, was painted by Johann Georg Knöller. The piece is earthenware, which means that the potter began with fairly coarse clay, capable of holding a large form. That form was then covered with a tin glaze, providing a smooth white surface to take the painted decoration. The decoration itself is significant. The particular shade of blue seen here is associated with Delftware. Delftware was an industry developed in the Netherlands, designed to imitate the porcelain coming from China, which was much more expensive. The Dutch East India Company was a powerhouse in the 17th and 18th centuries, and controlled global trade in luxury goods, and Delftware answered a huge demand. The decoration of this plate, with its sinuous lines, bird, and flowers, directly copies Chinese prototypes. So, while this plate may seem like a simple, decorative object, it speaks to vast global networks of commerce, labor, and aspiration. The history of craft is deeply entwined with the history of world trade.