Like all unusual works, this one started almost by accident – I was looking for new photos for our sgraffito archive. Pinterest was happy that I had been already scrolling for two hours and kept showing all sorts of ceramic items from museums and auctions. I was interested in everything and easily distracted by every new photo until I saw Him.
That’s right, with a capital letter.
The first thought was – oh, a bunny with a pipe! Awesome!
Seriously, after Hutsul tiles, where bears and other exciting creatures smoke pipes, it’s hard to surprise me.
And after curious medieval engravings – even more so.
A couple of minutes later, I realized that it was not a pipe but a plant – but it was too late. The idea has already got a residence permit in my head and wasn’t supposed to move out until I fully realize it in ceramics. Besides, let’s all of us agree that rabbits here are certainly pleasant and cheerful.
©Foto: Museum für Islamische Kunst der Staatlichen Museen zu Berlin – Preußischer Kulturbesitz
Fotograf/in: Johannes Kramer
Plates, by the way, are from Egypt, made in the eleventh century during the Fatimid dynasty. We still don’t understand what kind of plants they hold in their teeth – perhaps it’s a flower, or Egyptian cotton, or just some leaves. What was the deal with these bunnies, and why there is a whole series of plates – likely made by different potters – we also don’t know. There is very little information, mainly on the museum’s pages, where you can find only the characteristics of the plate – diameter, height, date of manufacture, location, etc.
Then we looked at these plates together. On our wall plate, you can see the process of developing idea – from Egyptian bunnies combined with Hutsul bears to thoughts about what the bunny could smoke (at that moment, we have been having so much fun that it was only one answer to this question).
Every time I look at this plate, I calm down. I can sit down, look at the bunny and count the butterflies among the hemp leaves or the hemp leaves themselves. The bunny inspires me for peace and relaxation, promises that everything will be fine, and reminds me to take things easier and not overcomplicate. Unlike the rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, ours is in no hurry and never looks at the clock. Life is good, and it goes on – the bunny reminds us.
