Plate c. 1765

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums hold this delicate porcelain plate, manufactured by the Ansbach Porcelain Manufactory. The openwork rim and sparse decoration give it an airy feel. Editor: It appears almost fragile, but with a quiet assertiveness that reminds me of the limited roles afforded women and people of color through the centuries. Curator: How so? Elaborate table settings signified status and privilege, upholding social hierarchies. The delicate nature of the porcelain speaks to power dynamics... Editor: Right. And the imagery—those pastoral scenes—offer an idyllic veneer that obscures the realities of class, labor, and exploitation. The pretty floral patterns are visual tropes that can reinforce complacency. Curator: Perhaps the beauty and functionality existing side-by-side creates a complex tension, a way of both celebrating and questioning societal expectations. Editor: I think acknowledging those tensions allows us to look beyond mere aesthetics, and find deeper significance.