Description:
This set of tin-glazed earthenware commemorative plates were made during the early stages of the First World War to pursue peace. It asks the question whether peace is possible in 1915. Both plates are decorated with identical grey cavettos containing six cloud-like scallops filled with mistletoe and surrounded by holly leaves. The central panels differ – the one shows a rising sun inscribed with the word “Kerstmis 1914” in the centre, a canon with two shells below it and the inscription “Vrede op aarde?”, while the other shows the same rising sun inscribed with a large red question mark and the word “Nieuwejaar”, two crossed palm branches and the date “1915”. The mistletoe and holly leaves are traditional symbols of love during Christmas and the palm leaves are symbols of peace. At that time, although the Netherlands was neutral, they feared an attack from Germany sighting Belgium as an example. Although Belgium was neutral, the Germans invaded the country on 4 August 1914 when it refused their troops passage across Belgian soil. The Dutch seriously strove for peace on their neighbouring front. These plates were made by the Potterij Rembrandt in Nijmegen.