Artwork

Farfurie adâncă, cu corp mic și buză lată, evazată; piesa este modelată la roata olarului și angobată cu humă albă pe fața interioară. Decorul este realizat prin pictare cu pensula și se compune din motive decorative florale și vegetale stilizate, dispuse central, pe fundul vasului (o floare albastră cu frunze verzi) și pe buza farfuriei (4 flori albastre alternate cu 4 grupuri de frunze). Fața decorată a farfuriei este acoperită cu un strat de smalț transparent. Cromatica: alb, albastru, verde.

Farfurie adâncă, cu corp mic și buză lată, evazată; piesa este modelată la roata olarului și angobată cu humă albă pe fața interioară. Decorul este realizat prin pictare cu pensula și se compune din motive decorative florale și vegetale stilizate, dispuse central, pe fundul vasului (o floare albastră cu frunze verzi) și pe buza farfuriei (4 flori albastre alternate cu 4 grupuri de frunze). Fața decorată a farfuriei este acoperită cu un strat de smalț transparent. Cromatica: alb, albastru, verde. is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Ethnographical Museum of Transylvania. This shallow ceramic dish, wheel-thrown from clay, features a broad, flared rim and a modest central well.

About this work

Overview

This shallow ceramic dish, wheel-thrown from clay, features a broad, flared rim and a modest central well. Its form balances utility with decorative intent, the gently scalloped edge reinforcing its functional origins. The surface bears traces of use, including minor chips and wear, while a glossy glaze preserves the painted motifs beneath.

Subject & Meaning

The decoration centers on simplified botanical motifs—a single blue blossom with green foliage at the base, flanked by alternating floral and leaf patterns along the rim. These stylized elements reflect a tradition of abstracting natural forms, emphasizing rhythm and repetition over realistic representation. The imagery suggests an ornamental rather than symbolic purpose.

Technique & Style

The dish was shaped on a potter’s wheel before receiving a white slip coating on its interior. Brushwork defines the floral and foliate designs, rendered in cobalt blue and copper green, with outlines and details applied in thin, controlled strokes. A final layer of transparent glaze seals the painted surface, enhancing durability while preserving the vibrancy of the colors.

History & Provenance

Details of the dish’s creation and early ownership remain unrecorded, though its craftsmanship aligns with traditional ceramic practices. The visible wear indicates prolonged domestic use, while the intact glaze and pigments suggest careful handling over time. Its current condition reflects both its age and the resilience of its materials.

Context

Such utilitarian wares were common in households where pottery served both practical and aesthetic roles. The stylized floral motifs echo broader decorative conventions found in regional ceramics, where abstracted plant forms often adorned everyday objects. The dish’s modest scale and ornamentation suggest it was intended for domestic rather than ceremonial use.