Artwork

farfurie

farfurie, by Unknown, 1810
farfurie, by Unknown, 1810

farfurie is a photography by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1810 and is held in the collection of the Romanian Peasant Museum. The object is a circular ceramic plate featuring a decorative rim of intertwined black and white spirals.

About this work

In the center, there’s a painted design of swirling leaves and flowers in black, yellow, and green.

This is a round plate with a simple border of black and white swirls. In the center, there’s a painted design of swirling leaves and flowers in black, yellow, and green. The background is mostly white, and the edges of the plate look slightly worn.

The year "1810" is written inside the design, which might mean it’s from that time. The colors are bright but faded, like old paint.

If you like this kind of decorated pottery, look up Romanticism.

Overview

The object is a circular ceramic plate featuring a decorative rim of intertwined black and white spirals. Its central field displays a motif of stylized foliage and blossoms rendered in black, yellow and green against a predominantly white ground. The plate shows signs of wear along its perimeter, and the pigments exhibit a softened brightness indicative of age.

Subject & Meaning

The central composition presents an abstracted arrangement of leaves and flowers, a common decorative theme that evokes natural growth and vitality. The use of contrasting colors and flowing lines creates a sense of movement, aligning the piece with aesthetic interests in the picturesque and the emotive qualities of nature.

Technique & Style

The design was applied by hand, likely using slip-painting or underglaze techniques before a low-temperature firing. The black, yellow and green pigments were mixed to achieve vivid yet translucent tones, while the surrounding black‑white swirl border demonstrates a restrained geometric pattern typical of early‑19th‑century domestic ware.

History & Provenance

An inscription of the year 1810 appears within the central motif, indicating the plate’s production date. The faded coloration and slight rim wear suggest prolonged use or storage, though no maker's mark is evident, leaving its workshop or regional origin uncertain.

Context

The decorative approach reflects the broader Romantic sensibility that celebrated natural forms and expressive ornamentation in everyday objects. Similar motifs appear on contemporary porcelain and earthenware, where artisans incorporated botanical imagery to appeal to the period’s taste for the idyllic and emotionally resonant.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Romanian Peasant Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.