Artwork

Farfurie semi-adâncă, cu buza răsfrântă, modelată la roata olarului și angobată cu humă albă pe fața interioară. Decorul este pictat cu cornul și cu pensula și se compune din motive decorative vegetale stilizate (flori cu frunze, dispuse central, pe fundul farfuriei) și motive decorative geometrice (șapte grupuri de linii paralele,verticale, intercalate cu șapte grupuri de câte 3 linii sub formă de semicercuri umplute cu culoare galbenă și verde), dispuse pe buza farfuriei și încadrate de linii paralele sub formă de cerc. Piesa este acoperită pe fața pictată cu un strat de smalț transparent. Cromatica: alb, verde, maro, galben ocru.

Farfurie semi-adâncă, cu buza răsfrântă, modelată la roata olarului și angobată cu humă albă pe fața interioară. Decorul este pictat cu cornul și cu pensula și se compune din motive decorative vegetale stilizate (flori cu frunze, dispuse central, pe fundul farfuriei) și motive decorative geometrice (șapte grupuri de linii paralele,verticale, intercalate cu șapte grupuri de câte 3 linii sub formă de semicercuri umplute cu culoare galbenă și verde), dispuse pe buza farfuriei și încadrate de linii paralele sub formă de cerc. Piesa este acoperită pe fața pictată cu un strat de smalț transparent. Cromatica: alb, verde, maro, galben ocru. is a print by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Ethnographical Museum of Transylvania. This shallow ceramic plate features a flared rim and a smooth, interior surface coated with white slip.

About this work

Overview

This shallow ceramic plate features a flared rim and a smooth, interior surface coated with white slip.

This shallow ceramic plate features a flared rim and a smooth, interior surface coated with white slip. The exterior shows muted earth tones, suggesting natural firing conditions. A thin blue cord is attached to the base, possibly for suspension. The entire surface is sealed with a clear glaze, preserving the painted decoration beneath. Its form and finish reflect utilitarian craftsmanship typical of regional pottery traditions.

Subject & Meaning

The central motif consists of stylized floral elements—flowers with leaves—arranged symmetrically, suggesting a connection to natural cycles or domestic ornamentation. Around the rim, alternating bands of parallel lines and filled semicircles form a rhythmic border. These geometric patterns may carry symbolic weight, possibly denoting protection, continuity, or regional identity, though no explicit ritual function is documented.

Technique & Style

The vessel was wheel-thrown and coated with white slip on the interior before painting. Decorative elements were applied with a brush using pigments of yellow ochre and green, with lines and semicircles carefully aligned. The rim’s design alternates between vertical strokes and clustered half-circles, creating a structured yet hand-crafted rhythm. The glaze, transparent and even, enhances the vibrancy of the pigments without obscuring their brushwork.

History & Provenance

This piece originates from the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, indicating its documentation as part of a cultural heritage archive. Its construction and decoration align with regional ceramic practices from rural communities, likely produced in the 19th or early 20th century. The presence of a hanging cord suggests domestic use, possibly in food service or display within a household setting.

Context

The plate reflects a broader tradition of folk pottery in Eastern Europe, where utilitarian objects were adorned with locally derived motifs. The use of natural pigments and hand-painted designs distinguishes it from mass-produced wares. Similar decorative schemes appear in contemporaneous ceramics from neighboring regions, pointing to shared aesthetic conventions among rural potters who relied on inherited techniques.

Legacy

As a preserved example of vernacular ceramic art, this plate contributes to the understanding of everyday material culture in pre-industrial communities. Its survival in a museum context underscores efforts to document regional craftsmanship before industrialization altered traditional practices. The design elements continue to inform contemporary interpretations of folk art, though its original makers remain unnamed.