Plate 1740 - 1755

This porcelain plate was made in Vienna, Austria. Its creation involved carefully manipulating clay, transforming it through intense heat in a kiln. But more than just a functional object, this plate is an example of the way ceramics reflect social and cultural values. The floral motifs, delicately hand-painted, show the influence of Asian aesthetics so popular at the time. The deep blues and reds, achieved through skilled application of metallic oxides, speak to the technical expertise required to produce such wares. And the act of collecting and displaying such objects showed an aspiration to refinement and luxury. Consider too the labor involved – from the miners extracting the clay to the artists painting each individual piece. All of this gives the plate its own unique presence.