Plate c. 1810

Editor: Here we have a ceramic plate created by the Wedgwood Manufactory around 1810. It features striking blue floral imagery against a white backdrop. The lotus blossoms give the object an overall calming aesthetic, even though the arrangement is very busy. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The visual language of the piece is immediately compelling. The lotus, a sacred flower in many Eastern cultures, is prominently displayed. Given that Wedgwood was a British company, its embrace of Eastern motifs, especially in the early 19th century, speaks to the rise of “Orientalism.” What emotions or concepts do you feel are present in its depiction? Editor: I feel serenity and also a sort of wonder or awe. It makes me think about purity, as it's associated with the divine. Curator: Precisely. The lotus in many cultures signifies purity, rebirth, and spiritual awakening. Here, the detailed, almost scientific rendering of the flower alongside design elements in the border signifies this Western fascination. Does the intense focus on the lotus modify or amplify that for you? Editor: I hadn't really considered that before, but now that you mention it, that depiction highlights that it's more than just the beauty of a flower, and points to some of the symbolism surrounding it. Curator: Exactly. We can see the way imagery, laden with cultural history and meaning, travels across time and space, taking on new inflections along the way. This one plate reveals complex dynamics between cultures and changing beliefs. Editor: I’ll definitely think of cultural exchange differently from now on, as being more tangible. Thanks!