Plate from a Royal Berlin China Service c. 20th century

Curator: Oh, this plate! Doesn’t it just whisper stories of grand feasts and whispered secrets? I imagine it gracing the table of royalty, perhaps during a decadent dessert course. Editor: Yes, the "Plate from a Royal Berlin China Service," likely from the 20th century and held here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, is indeed captivating. It reminds me of ancient Greek pottery, yet…it feels different. A touch whimsical, maybe? What catches your eye about it? Curator: Whimsical is a brilliant word! For me, it’s how the artist blends the archaic with the modern. See the Greek key pattern playfully mixed with what seems like a slightly askew take on Egyptian hieroglyphs. Does it look like they were dreaming of both worlds at once? Editor: It really does! Almost like a stylized interpretation of both Ancient Greece and Egypt. How does that unusual blend impact its overall meaning? Curator: I find the contrast thrilling. It poses questions: Is it a nod to classical learning during the period? Or perhaps, a lighthearted jab at the revivalist trends? The figures themselves seem plucked from a heroic saga, don’t they? Tell me what *you* sense, though. What's the tale being told? Editor: It does have the feeling of a grand saga depicted on it. There's a regal figure on horseback with a hunt unfolding around him. To me, the tale seems centered on themes of the hunt and dominion. This whole conversation made me realize how diverse historical influences can be re-interpreted in novel ways. Curator: Precisely! This dish doesn’t merely serve food; it serves a whole visual banquet for the mind! The artist encourages us to question narratives, aesthetics, and perhaps, the very notion of "royalty" itself! Wouldn't you say this changed your way of looking at the plate? Editor: I totally agree; what seemed purely decorative is so much more.