Plate 17th century

Bernard Palissy crafted this plate, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, from glazed earthenware. Its circular form, typical of functional tableware, belies the complexity of its decoration. The plate features a striking contrast between the dark, mottled center and the intricately detailed border. This border is adorned with a repeating pattern of stylized floral motifs and circular emblems, creating a textured and rhythmic visual experience. The regularity of these elements speaks to a formal order, yet the slight variations within the floral designs hint at a tension between naturalism and abstraction. Palissy’s work often intersects with the philosophical currents of his time, particularly the Renaissance interest in natural forms and the human impulse to classify and control them. The plate can be viewed as a microcosm of the world, where the tension between chaos and order is carefully mediated through the artist’s craft. This interplay invites us to reflect on the dynamic relationship between art, nature, and the evolving understanding of the self.