Plate 1722 - 1760

Editor: So this vibrant ceramic plate, likely dating back to the mid-18th century, comes from the Roos Manufactory. I'm struck by its colorful decoration—so many fantastical creatures! It has this dreamlike, playful energy, almost like a porcelain fairytale. What do you see in this piece that I might be missing? Curator: Well, the first thing that catches my eye is the almost overwhelming array of imagery—phoenixes, kirin, landscapes crammed into one circular frame. Imagine this plate sitting on a European table in the 18th century. It’s a statement, right? A brag, in a way, about access to the exotic East, even if the understanding of the imagery was probably a little... fuzzy. It makes me wonder about what fantasies and realities were mixing for people back then. Do you feel like that fantastical quality has changed between then and now? Editor: Absolutely! Today, with easy access to other cultures, seeing it framed as "exotic" feels...well, dated. Back then, though, this plate might have been one of the few glimpses someone had into an entirely different world! But how accurately do you think these "glimpses" reflect Asian art? Curator: Accuracy wasn't really the point, was it? It was about conjuring a sense of the Orient. The makers of these objects were weaving tales as much as they were creating decorative pieces. In fact, something I love about this kind of art is how freely cultures interact; that to me represents a more global reality of trade, inspiration, and human nature. Editor: That's such a fantastic way to think about it, actually! It’s not so much a window as a remix. A reminder that objects tell stories—or, perhaps more accurately, spark them. I feel I can see this "Plate" through a different, more thoughtful lens now.