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

Editor: Here we have a plate, ceramic and porcelain, hailing from a Royal Berlin China Service around the 20th century. The piece seems to blend ancient and decorative art styles, with a fascinating, somewhat fantastical central figure and intriguing decorative elements along the rim. What catches your eye about it? How do you interpret this piece in terms of form and structure? Curator: Its success lies primarily in its decorative power. The interplay of the black silhouette against the reddish-orange ground creates a striking visual dichotomy. Notice how the concentric circles—the rim, the band of ornamentation, and the central medallion—organize the composition. Are you struck by the strategic placement of those seemingly arbitrary, perhaps asemic, marks? Editor: I am! The lines and shapes certainly contribute to the overall pattern and fill the space quite effectively. Does the central figure strike you as referencing a specific mythological figure? Curator: The central figure, though suggestive, matters less than the overall design. Note how the artist manipulated the symmetry of the figure and juxtaposed it with the surrounding, somewhat chaotic, arrangement of motifs. This tension generates a visual energy. It adheres superficially to Ancient conventions without fully committing to any particular historical program. Editor: That's a clever observation. So, you're suggesting the real point here is the artistic handling of shape, color, and pattern? Curator: Precisely. The essence of this plate is not in its narrative content but in its formal relationships and decorative effect. Editor: I see it now; focusing on the elements like the repetition and placement of the abstract marks truly reframes how I appreciate this piece. It is so much more than just a plate! Curator: Agreed. The semiotic interplay enhances the experience and suggests so many questions around symbolic artistic expression.