Plate with birds on branches and bouquets c. 1771

This plate with birds on branches and bouquets was made by Porzellanmanufaktur Frankenthal. At its heart are birds, symbols deeply embedded in the human psyche. Birds have long served as potent symbols of freedom and the soul's journey, and their image can be traced back to ancient Egyptian art, where they represented the soul's ability to traverse earthly bounds. We also see them in the Minoan frescoes of Crete, and again in the Christian imagery of the Middle Ages, often as messengers between the earthly and divine realms. The naturalistic depiction here tempers these celestial associations, yet the very presence of these winged creatures stirs a primordial yearning for liberation. This plate engages viewers on a subconscious level, calling upon our deep-seated connection with the natural world, and the emotional resonance of images that have accompanied us through millennia. As these symbols evolve through time, they resurface, transformed yet recognizable, reminding us of the cyclical nature of history and the persistence of human emotions.