Plate with an iceskating scene c. 1740 - 1760

Curator: Right, let's talk about this lovely earthenware plate from around 1740 to 1760, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. It depicts an iceskating scene in the center. Editor: Oh, immediately, it's the spontaneity that grabs me. You can almost feel the chill wind and hear the laughter, even through the glaze. It has a whimsical charm. Curator: Absolutely! The technique, I think, really underscores the everyday-ness of it all. Think about it: a ceramic piece meant for daily use, adorned with a common pastime. No grand mythology here. The material and function intersect with real human activity. Editor: That contrast is fascinating. High-end craft depicting a decidedly ordinary scene. Did they make these plates for people of certain classes or rank, and what would their dinner guests have thought about these illustrations? Were these 'everyday' activities as common amongst the privileged as among the working-classes? And speaking of the working-class - who made it? Curator: That's the enigma, isn't it? Anonymous creator, of Asian artistic background. I picture the artist perhaps watching from a window, trying to catch this outdoor chaos with a snapshot of feeling. And it wasn’t just the activity, right, the choice of earthy, vibrant colors really amplifies the joyful feel and almost cartoonish characters in movement. Editor: It makes me consider the social implications of mass production. Was this a singular piece, showcasing individual skill, or part of a larger series? What does its existence reveal about the porcelain industry at the time? And how were pieces like this received in households across socioeconomic divides? It raises a whole host of questions! Curator: Agreed. We’re drawn in because it mirrors human play across time and circumstance. Editor: For sure. Looking at the interplay between subject, form and material opens a little window into a particular time and helps to bring to life the everyday experience of that particular world.