Koperen huwelijk van koningin Juliana en prins Bernhard, 1949 1949 - 1950

This commemorative plate celebrating the copper wedding anniversary of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard was made in 1949 by De Porceleijne Fles. Can you imagine how it was made, a rotation and shift on the wheel, through error and trial until its eventual firing? I wonder what it was like to craft this piece. All that careful planning and measuring, tracing each line with a steady hand, as if any slip could spell disaster. It must have been a slow process, building up each layer of glaze and pigment until the final design emerged. Look closely at the surface. The paint is thin and watery, a testament to the delicate touch required for this type of work. The cobalt blue lines are bold, sure, and confident. It looks as if someone was breathing in and out as they made each one. This plate feels like a conversation between tradition and innovation. It's a reminder that artists are always building on what came before, experimenting with new techniques while honoring the past. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that meaning is never fixed. Rather, it's always in motion, changing as we engage with the work and bring our own experiences to bear.