Artwork
Farfurie adâncă, cu corp ușor rotunjit și buza dreaptă evazată; decorul este realizat prin pictare cu pensula pe fondul neangobat al lutului și se compune din motive florale și vegetale dispuse astfel: centrul farfuriei conține o tulpină cu o floare de culoare albă, cu petale alungite și mijloc albastru, cu doi boboci albi și frunze verzi. Buza farfuriei este decorată cu cinci flori cu petale albe și mijlocul marcat printr-un punct albastru, între care se găsesc cinci grupuri de frunze verzi. Suprafața ornamentată a farfuriei este acoperită cu un strat de smalț transparent. Cromatica: alb, verde, albastru, pe fondul roșu al lutului ars.

Farfurie adâncă, cu corp ușor rotunjit și buza dreaptă evazată; decorul este realizat prin pictare cu pensula pe fondul neangobat al lutului și se compune din motive florale și vegetale dispuse astfel: centrul farfuriei conține o tulpină cu o floare de culoare albă, cu petale alungite și mijloc albastru, cu doi boboci albi și frunze verzi. Buza farfuriei este decorată cu cinci flori cu petale albe și mijlocul marcat printr-un punct albastru, între care se găsesc cinci grupuri de frunze verzi. Suprafața ornamentată a farfuriei este acoperită cu un strat de smalț transparent. Cromatica: alb, verde, albastru, pe fondul roșu al lutului ars. is a print by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Ethnographical Museum of Transylvania. This ceramic plate features a deep, rounded form with a flared rim, crafted from fired clay and coated in transparent glaze.
About this work
Overview
This ceramic plate features a deep, rounded form with a flared rim, crafted from fired clay and coated in transparent glaze.
This ceramic plate features a deep, rounded form with a flared rim, crafted from fired clay and coated in transparent glaze. Its surface is decorated with hand-painted floral and vegetal motifs in white, green, and blue pigments, set against the natural reddish hue of the unglazed clay body. The design is symmetrical and carefully arranged, emphasizing botanical elements without figurative representation.
Subject & Meaning
The decoration centers on a single white flower with elongated petals and a blue center, flanked by green leaves. Around the rim, five similar flowers alternate with five clusters of leaves. These motifs reflect a stylized naturalism common in regional ceramic traditions, suggesting an appreciation for seasonal growth and organic form rather than symbolic or narrative intent.
Technique & Style
The ornamentation was applied with a brush directly onto the unglazed clay surface before a clear glaze was added. Pigments in white, green, and blue were used sparingly and precisely, creating contrast against the warm red clay. The style is linear and restrained, with no shading or modeling—each element defined by clean outlines and flat color fields, typical of folk ceramic practices in the region.
History & Provenance
This piece originates from a tradition of utilitarian ceramics produced in rural communities, likely for domestic use. Its form and decoration align with regional pottery styles from the late 19th to early 20th century. It was collected and preserved by the Museum of Ethnography, where it contributes to documentation of everyday material culture rather than fine art production.
Context
Produced in an area with strong ceramic traditions, this plate reflects local techniques passed through generations. The use of native clay, limited color palette, and repetitive floral patterns indicate a functional aesthetic rooted in household needs and regional visual customs. Similar wares were common in domestic settings, often made by potters for local markets or family use.
Legacy
As a preserved example of vernacular pottery, this plate informs studies of folk craftsmanship and regional identity. It represents a non-elite, non-urban artistic practice that persisted alongside industrialization. Its presence in ethnographic collections underscores its value as a cultural artifact, offering insight into domestic life and aesthetic preferences of its time.
Artist & collection
Museum
Ethnographical Museum of Transylvania
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