Plate c. 20th century

Curator: Editor: So, this is a porcelain plate from the 20th century, created by Sakaida Kakiemon XIV. The painted floral design is so delicate and appealing. What strikes me is its seamless blend of functionality and art. What are your thoughts when you see it? Curator: I find it compelling to think about the making of this object. The porcelain itself – where did the raw materials come from? Who mined them? How were they processed and transported? The production of porcelain has always involved intensive labor, hasn't it? Editor: Yes, that makes perfect sense. And the painted decoration, I suppose. Curator: Exactly. Kakiemon porcelain was highly sought after in Europe. It influenced many other manufacturers. Can we think of this object not just as a work of art, but as part of a global network of trade and influence? As commodity exchange involving both maker and consumer. Editor: It is hard to see the labor behind something so refined. Were all these pieces painted by the named artist? Curator: Rarely. Usually workshops of artisans carried out this painstaking labor. Focusing on process illuminates the economic realities. Do you see how what might seem like 'decoration' is actually tied to complex social histories? Editor: I see. So, the beauty and delicacy on the surface are only part of the story? The object embodies so many social relations of production? Curator: Precisely. The 'beauty' even facilitates the unequal global consumption of these trade goods. It is an entry point to a much wider discussion about production and value. Editor: Thinking about it in terms of materials and the human effort transforms my view. Thanks, I'll never see porcelain in quite the same way again. Curator: It shows us how even seemingly simple objects can reveal complex histories of labour and cultural exchange.