Calendar plate (October) c. 1568

This is an enameled earthenware plate, depicting the month of October, made by Pierre Reymond in the mid-16th century. The plate’s design is structured by a clear division between the central scene and the decorative border. In the center, a monochromatic landscape shows two peasants gathering wood, their figures rendered with precise detail. Note the contrast between the active figure wielding an axe and the more static one bundling wood. This juxtaposition animates the scene, drawing our eye across the plate. Encircling this vignette is a complex border filled with stylized grotesques and emblems. The use of black enamel, punctuated by touches of gold, creates a frame that is both ornamental and symbolic, reflecting the Renaissance fascination with classical motifs and heraldry. Reymond’s plate, therefore, is more than mere decoration. It’s a structured composition, carefully balancing form and content, tradition and innovation. It invites us to decode its visual language and reflect on its cultural context.