Wandbord t.g.v. de 25-jarige bruiloft van J.R. Tutein Nolthenius en M.A. Cordes 1908

Curator: Here we have a ceramic wall plate created in 1908 by Carel Adolph Lion Cachet. The plate commemorates the 25th wedding anniversary of J.R. Tutein Nolthenius and M.A. Cordes. Editor: My first impression is of something quite bold and graphic. The dark palette contrasted with the blues and yellows really pops, it's a celebration! Curator: Absolutely, the symbolic language is rich. Note the initials intertwined at the center, topped with a crown. A visual assertion of union, permanence, and perhaps even social standing? The surrounding stylized floral motifs resonate with the Art Nouveau aesthetic, don’t they? Editor: They certainly do. Those flowing, organic shapes seem to almost bubble up from the center, visually expressing growth and prosperity. But I wonder about its function. Was it purely decorative, or was it integrated into some kind of anniversary celebration? Curator: That's a great question! Commemorative objects like these offer insight into early 20th-century Dutch social customs, particularly among the upper classes. The object, more than merely decorating a space, marked and materially reinforced social relations. The bold coloring has implications, as well: this was meant to be displayed prominently in the home, to constantly remind the household about a foundational union. Editor: And how that union created and preserved that household! The placement of the anniversary date on the plate's lower perimeter further emphasizes the centrality of the anniversary. One really gets the sense of this occasion being set in stone... or, perhaps, baked into ceramic! Curator: Precisely. In considering Art Nouveau, it’s also crucial to assess the extent to which its proponents attempted to fuse craft and art, elevating utilitarian objects into works imbued with expressive visual languages, almost totemic in nature. This wall plate performs this very function, solidifying memories of family bonds. Editor: Seeing how this domestic object embodies those social forces, one realizes its seemingly simple decoration holds such layered cultural weight. Thank you for sharing your insightful analysis. Curator: The pleasure was mine! Delving into these historical echoes always helps unlock the rich layers of cultural meaning embedded in these images.