Artwork

farfurie

farfurie, by Unknown, 1968
farfurie, by Unknown, 1968

farfurie is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1968 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Bukovina. The object is a circular plate distinguished by a vivid decorative scheme.

About this work

The center has a spiral of green teardrop shapes, surrounded by swirls and leaves in cream and black.

This is a round, colorful plate with a bold design. The center has a spiral of green teardrop shapes, surrounded by swirls and leaves in cream and black. The outer edge has a repeating pattern of small cream flowers and black dots on a reddish background.

The photo was taken in 1968, showing a traditional-looking plate up close. The colors are bright and the lines are sharp, making the patterns stand out.

If you like this style, check out the Museum of Ethnography for more objects like this.

Overview

The object is a circular plate distinguished by a vivid decorative scheme. Its surface features a central motif of green teardrop forms arranged in a spiral, encircled by cream‑colored swirls and leaf‑like elements set against black accents. The rim is adorned with a repetitive band of small cream flowers and black dots set on a reddish ground, creating a striking contrast.

Subject & Meaning

The design combines naturalistic motifs—such as leaves and floral patterns—with abstract geometric arrangements, suggesting a synthesis of decorative tradition and stylized representation. The central spiral may evoke notions of growth or continuity, while the surrounding ornamentation reinforces a rhythmic visual flow across the plate’s surface.

Technique & Style

Executed in a flat, painted medium, the plate displays sharp, well‑defined lines and saturated colors that enhance the clarity of each motif. The use of bold outlines and a limited palette of green, cream, black, and red reflects a graphic aesthetic common in mid‑20th‑century decorative arts, emphasizing both visual impact and repeatable patterning.

History & Provenance

Photographed in 1968, the plate appears to have been produced in a context that values traditional forms while embracing contemporary decorative trends. The image captures the object at a close range, highlighting its craftsmanship and the precision of its painted surface.

Context

The piece aligns with other ethnographic ceramics that blend functional utility with elaborate surface decoration. Its stylistic traits are comparable to objects found in collections of folk and regional pottery, where motifs often draw from local flora and abstract symbolism.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known