Artwork

Farfurie tronconică de mici dimensiuni, cu fundul mic, pereții puțin înalți, dar puternic evazați. Centrul farfuriei prezintă o spirală, urmează un câmp jirăvit; urmează două cercuri maro și verde, din nou câmp jirăvit, urmează o ghirlandă cu trandafiri, sfârșindu-se cu un câmp jirăvit. Este prevăzută cu o gaură, pe partea posterioară, pentru prindere. Cromatică: fond: alb-gri; motive; maro; verde; cărămiziu.

Farfurie tronconică de mici dimensiuni, cu fundul mic, pereții puțin înalți, dar puternic evazați. Centrul farfuriei prezintă o spirală, urmează un câmp jirăvit; urmează două cercuri maro și verde, din nou câmp jirăvit, urmează o ghirlandă cu trandafiri, sfârșindu-se cu un câmp jirăvit. Este prevăzută cu o gaură, pe partea posterioară, pentru prindere. Cromatică: fond: alb-gri; motive; maro; verde; cărămiziu. is a poster by Ogrezeanu Stelian. It is held in the collection of the ASTRA National Museum Complex. A small, conical ceramic plate with a narrow base and gently flared sides, this object is made of fired clay and exhibits signs of age.

About this work

Overview

The decoration is arranged in concentric bands, beginning with a central spiral and progressing outward with alternating textured fields and painted motifs.

A small, conical ceramic plate with a narrow base and gently flared sides, this object is made of fired clay and exhibits signs of age. Its surface is primarily light grayish-white, accented with brown, green, and brick-red pigments. A single hole on the reverse suggests it was designed for hanging or mounting. The decoration is arranged in concentric bands, beginning with a central spiral and progressing outward with alternating textured fields and painted motifs.

Subject & Meaning

The decorative sequence includes a spiral, repeated jirăvit patterns, two colored rings, and a floral garland of roses. These elements may reflect regional symbolic traditions, where spirals could denote continuity and roses might signify seasonal cycles or domestic life. The repetition of textured fields may serve both aesthetic and structural purposes, creating visual rhythm without overt narrative intent. The design suggests utility combined with subtle ornamentation common in vernacular pottery.

Technique & Style

Hand-formed from coarse clay, the plate shows uneven edges and a thick rim, indicating hand-building rather than wheel-throwing. Painted decoration was applied in limited pigments—brown, green, and brick-red—using simple brushwork. The jirăvit fields, characterized by stippled or dotted textures, contrast with the smoother painted bands. The floral motif is stylized, not naturalistic, suggesting adherence to local decorative conventions rather than detailed representation.

History & Provenance

This object likely originates from a rural ceramic tradition in Eastern Europe, possibly 18th to early 20th century. Its modest scale, utilitarian form, and restrained palette align with household wares produced for daily use. The presence of a mounting hole implies it may have been displayed or used in a domestic setting where wall-hung items were common. No documented provenance exists, but similar pieces are found in regional folk collections.

Context

In rural communities where mass-produced ceramics were scarce, handmade pottery served both functional and decorative roles. This plate reflects a tradition where household items were adorned with symbolic or rhythmic patterns, often passed down through generations. The use of locally sourced clay and natural pigments, along with repetitive motifs, points to a culture where craft was integrated into everyday life rather than separated as fine art.

Legacy

Though unattributed and undocumented in major collections, such objects contribute to understanding vernacular ceramic practices in Eastern Europe. They represent a quiet continuity of form and decoration, preserved through domestic use rather than institutional preservation. Today, they offer insight into how ordinary people engaged with aesthetics, embedding meaning into utilitarian objects without formal artistic training.