Dish c. 1774 - 1778

Editor: Here we have "Dish" from around 1774 to 1778, made by Loosdrecht, out of ceramic, or porcelain to be more exact. The pink background is so striking and the bird detail is really delicate. What is your perspective on this object? Curator: The immediate thing I notice is the production. Think about the intense labour that went into forming and firing porcelain in the 18th century, particularly considering this was likely destined for a wealthy patron’s table. Porcelain represented luxury and refinement; the dish would be more than just tableware – it's a status symbol, reflecting specific manufacturing conditions and a complex global trade. Editor: So it's less about the bird and more about… the materials themselves? Curator: Exactly! The Rococo style contributes, signaling not only artistic taste, but consumerist culture of the time. The demand for elaborate table settings and fashionable goods drove experimentation and innovation in ceramic production. Furthermore, the pink color – how was that achieved? What minerals were required and how accessible would they be to manufacture it at scale? Editor: That’s so interesting. I had just seen a pretty dish, but I guess there’s a lot more "baked in" to it than I thought. Curator: Indeed. Even this gilded rim! Gold was yet another imported raw material representing extensive economic networks tied to colonial exploitation and distribution chains within Europe itself. So while dainty it presents layers related social labor inherent production consumption. Editor: It's amazing to think of a simple dish reflecting such broad economic systems! Thanks, that really changed how I see it.