Plate 1790 - 1800

Editor: Here we have a striking earthenware plate dating from around 1790-1800, attributed to John Leidy I and currently residing at The Met. There's a folk-arty simplicity to the botanical design, almost like a child's drawing. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: Immediately, I'm drawn to the materiality of this plate. The earthenware speaks to its function, likely for everyday use, perhaps among the burgeoning middle class of the late 18th century. Consider the labor involved: the extraction of the clay, the forming, firing, and the hand-painted decoration. What does the simplicity of the design suggest about the skills or training available to the maker, and perhaps the intended market for this object? Editor: That’s a perspective I hadn't considered. It made me appreciate it more, instead of seeing just a rustic floral design. I now consider more carefully its context and place in the economic landscape. Curator: Exactly! And think about the glaze – that muted yellow isn’t just decorative. The production and application of glaze were vital processes. Were there local sources for these materials? Was this made using local production? The plate whispers of specific techniques and specific conditions of artisanal labor in a certain era. Editor: It's interesting to view a simple plate not just as a decorative item, but as a document of material history. Thank you! Curator: Precisely. Seeing art as material culture redefines what we value.