Plate 1775 - 1785

Curator: This “Plate,” dating from 1775 to 1785, is an example of Rococo ceramic art, crafted by an anonymous artist. It’s currently held here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Editor: My immediate impression is one of delicate serenity. The white porcelain is strikingly bright, almost ethereal, which amplifies the careful composition. Curator: Indeed. The central scene—two birds near water and a pine— speaks to themes of longevity and peace that resonate throughout cultures. Note also the placement of blue flower sprigs in the cardinal directions, and their echo of Chinese porcelain traditions. Editor: That floral placement intrigues me from a labor perspective. Porcelain production during this era was intensely divided, with some specializing solely in flower painting, and others in landscapes. Could multiple hands have shaped this plate? I wonder if a similar object could have been made in less time by fewer people. Curator: Possibly, yet these details are also signs of craftsmanship valued by elite European consumers then. They understood the symbols as markers of both their worldliness and status. The Rococo style here uses those associations, but with a more delicate, asymmetrical flair than, say, true Ming porcelain. Editor: Looking closely, the glaze reveals a commitment to material purity. It's smooth and refined, suggesting considerable control over firing and selection of clay. There were so many imitations. This particular plate probably wasn't meant to withstand a hard day's use. It had to look good on the walls of those "elite European consumers." Curator: Certainly! It offers a window into the aspirations of that era, intertwining symbols of peace with the era’s social structures. Editor: Thinking about its life as a luxury good really highlights the distance between those who owned such pieces and the skilled laborers who crafted them. It’s more than just a pretty dish; it embodies a complex exchange.