Artwork

Farfurie de formă tronconică, adâncită; pe margine este decorat cu motive vegetale încadrate de o linie; în centru are o crenguță cu fructe (cireșe). Pe exterior la baza vasului prezintă trei cercuri concentrice și cifra ”26”. Cromatică: fond: alb; verde; roșu; negru. Pe fundul vasului sunt două incizii în care este introdus un șnur folosit la agățarea vasului pe perete.

Farfurie de formă tronconică, adâncită; pe margine este decorat cu motive vegetale încadrate de o linie; în centru are o crenguță cu fructe (cireșe). Pe exterior la baza vasului prezintă trei cercuri concentrice și cifra ”26”. Cromatică: fond: alb; verde; roșu; negru. Pe fundul vasului sunt două incizii în care este introdus un șnur folosit la agățarea vasului pe perete. is a print by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the ASTRA National Museum Complex. The object is a white, conical‑shaped plate with a deep central depression.

About this work

Overview

The object is a white, conical‑shaped plate with a deep central depression. Its rim is decorated with a green vegetal motif framed by a thin line, while the central field features a branch bearing red cherries. The outer base displays three concentric circles and the numeral “26.” Two shallow cuts near the bottom accommodate a cord for wall suspension.

Subject & Meaning

The decorative program centers on a fruit‑bearing branch, a common motif in folk ceramics that evokes abundance and seasonal cycles. The red cherries contrast sharply with the white ground, emphasizing vitality, while the surrounding foliage reinforces a connection to the natural world, suggesting the plate’s original use in domestic or ritual contexts linked to harvest celebrations.

Technique & Style

The plate was formed from clay and fired to a white slip, then painted with mineral pigments in green, red, and black. The vegetal border and concentric circles are executed in linear incisions, a technique that allows precise, repeatable patterns. The overall aesthetic reflects a restrained, geometric approach typical of regional ceramic traditions.

History & Provenance

The presence of the hanging cord and the numeric inscription “26” indicates the piece was intended for wall display, possibly as a decorative talisman or offering. While the exact origin is not recorded, its stylistic traits align with Eastern European folk pottery produced in the late 19th to early 20th centuries.

Context

Such plates were often part of a larger ensemble of household ceramics used in festive gatherings, where painted fruit motifs symbolized prosperity. The combination of functional form and ornamental hanging suggests a dual role as both a utilitarian object and a visual element in interior decoration.