Plate from the Duke of Clarence Service c. 1792

Editor: Here we have a plate, part of the Duke of Clarence Service, made around 1792 by the Worcester Royal Porcelain Company. It’s gorgeous; I am immediately struck by the image in the center-- a classical figure gazing out to sea. I can’t quite put my finger on why, but the palette and composition evoke such a serene melancholy. What’s your take on it? Curator: Serene melancholy, I love that! To me, this plate is like a whisper from a grand, theatrical age. The Neoclassical style, with its idealized figures and references to ancient Greece and Rome, was all the rage. It was like everyone wanted a little piece of mythology on their dinner table! Though this piece is much more than merely decorative. Doesn't the figure's posture remind you of the classic portrayal of anticipation, of watching, waiting, possibly longing? Editor: Absolutely, that sense of anticipation is so palpable! I wonder, why porcelain? Curator: Ah, porcelain! It wasn’t just about having something pretty to eat off. Owning porcelain signaled wealth and sophistication. This particular plate, part of a service for the Duke, speaks volumes about status and the power of display. It begs the question, what narratives were they trying to express around that table? Editor: It's incredible to think of the plate as a piece of historical storytelling in itself. The neoclassical figure hints at grand narratives, almost theatrical. That makes you wonder about the conversations that happened when this was brought out. Curator: Precisely! I look at it now with an enriched perspective too! Each plate, now like a tiny stage. Perhaps, in our own ways, we were both gazing expectantly from the plate! Editor: Haha! I hadn't thought of that at all. Thanks!