Schotel, beschilderd met bloemen en laddermotief c. 1775 - 1778

Curator: Here we have a delicately painted dish from the Loosdrecht manufactory, dating from around 1775 to 1778. It is currently part of the Rijksmuseum collection and is called "Schotel, beschilderd met bloemen en laddermotief"–"Dish, painted with flowers and ladder motif". Editor: It’s such an airy piece; almost dreamlike! The sparse floral decoration against the white porcelain gives it a feeling of lightness. I particularly appreciate the asymmetrical placement of the blossoms; it lends the composition a touch of informality. Curator: The ladder motif you see around the rim wasn't just decorative, you know. The intricate patterns added production time, hence value. Loosdrecht pieces like this reflect the rising consumerism of the era. Tableware became status symbols. This wasn’t simply for eating; it was for display, signaling refinement. Editor: The green ladder motif really contrasts well with the vivid splashes of colour in the painted roses, blues, and reds. Do you see a semiotic link between these natural forms, with all the meanings associated with roses–love and beauty and prosperity—and the rigid artificial construction of the ladder edge? Curator: Yes, absolutely. I think it shows something about how they imagined nature and the rise of craft economies at that time, not as completely separate but working with one another. Look at how finely the piece has been worked. How do they work? Editor: And think how carefully these flower sprigs were arranged to maximize their visual impact within this defined ceramic form; the colours draw you in! It becomes more evident how cleverly this design uses space as a formal device to create balance and visual pleasure. Curator: I think it represents the societal aspiration to create beautiful pieces despite economic tensions that shaped production! The cost of labor and materials affected the level of intricate detail, highlighting the constant tension between artistic ambition and economic constraints. Editor: Such attention to detail makes one think of all those who would have eaten off or used the bowl! Thanks to these new insights, I appreciate the dish on several layers.