Dish by Longton Hall

1775 - 1790

Dish

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Curatorial notes

This creamware dish was crafted in England by Longton Hall between 1749 and 1760. It is adorned with potent symbols that resonate through time. Central to its design is the rosette, a motif echoing the sun, a life-giving force worshipped across civilizations. We find this symbol in ancient Egypt, adorning sarcophagi, and in the Greek world, where it symbolized deities. Even the floral border, with its stylized blossoms, speaks to nature’s generative power, a theme that recurs in art from the Renaissance to the present. Consider how the rosette, once a symbol of divine authority, has evolved into a decorative element. Yet, its inherent psychological impact remains. The radiant symmetry engages us on a subconscious level, stirring feelings of harmony and completeness. The act of imbuing everyday objects with symbolic meaning speaks to our deep-seated need to connect with the world around us.