Plate 1793

Editor: So, here we have an earthenware plate made in 1793 by Heinrich Roth. It's currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I find its decoration very folksy, almost child-like, but I'm also wondering about the symbolic meaning embedded in this kind of imagery. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Immediately, the prominent image of the bird strikes me. In many cultures, birds, particularly peacocks as this appears to be, symbolize immortality, pride, and beauty. Notice also the stylized plant motifs – often symbolic of growth, prosperity, and the cyclical nature of life. Do you see how they frame the bird? Editor: Yes, I do. The lettering at the top right, could it spell a name? Or perhaps a date? What meaning does such inclusion produce? Curator: Good eye. Lettering on folk art often functioned as both decoration and inscription, possibly offering blessings, commemorations, or the maker's mark. The inclusion blends a sense of personal history with broader cultural symbols. How do you think this blend reflects the object's purpose? Was it purely decorative? Editor: Not purely. It seems designed to bring a certain presence to its home, conveying hope, or perhaps just simple good fortune through those familiar symbols. There is something grounding, very ‘of the earth’ about this piece. Curator: Precisely! This “groundedness”, combined with aspirations embodied by the peacock and the symbolic plants, speaks volumes about the values of the culture from which it comes. Symbols that are constantly present evolve over time as carriers of memory, reinforcing a culture’s beliefs. Editor: That makes a lot of sense. It is much more than just decoration; it acts as a memory tool, or perhaps a prompt for storytelling in its home. Curator: Exactly, a beautiful synthesis of function, belief, and artistry that we can now interpret across the years.