Pa. German Plate c. 1937

This 'Pa. German Plate’ was created by William L. Antrim, but we don't know when. Antrim seems to have been interested in the decorative folk arts and crafts of the Pennsylvania German community. Looking at it, I am drawn to the way the artist has approached the design process. There’s something both meticulous and free about the execution. The glaze is thin, almost transparent in places, allowing the texture of the ceramic underneath to come through. The central motif with the vase and plant-like tendrils is a great example of an image that you can return to over and over. I can see some naive art in it, with the artist’s focus on design and material over and above any attempt to create something realistic. This piece reminds me a lot of work made by contemporary artists like Chris Ofili, who also draws on decorative traditions from folk art. It’s like the plate is a canvas for Antrim’s imagination, where there’s room for many possible interpretations.