Latvian ceramics, Tēnis Grasis, Skandinieki, folk art Latvia, ethnographic plate, Baltic vintage, hand painted plate, Soviet era art, folk musicians, wall plate with special Cultural Context (see more) Tēnis Grasis — Author Work An original hand-painted decorative ceramic plate created by Latvian artist Tēnis Grasis, working within the tradition of ethnographic decorative art in the second half of the 20th century. This piece clearly demonstrates the artist’s recognizable style: expressive hand-painted execution dynamic composition with rhythmic figures combination of folk motifs and modernist aesthetics confident brushwork with textured color application The reverse bears a hand-painted signature: “T.G.” SUBJECT & COMPOSITION The central scene depicts a group of folk musicians and dancers in motion. The composition is built through: • rhythmic arrangement of figures • strong contrast of color fields • layered geometric background elements • The color palette (red, green, yellow, black) reflects traditional Latvian folk symbolism, often associated with: • vitality and life force • natural cycles • seasonal and ritual celebrations This is not a simple genre scene, but a visual expression of collective singing and ritual movement, which lies at the heart of Baltic folk culture. Skandinieki — Cultural Context The inscription “Skandinieki” gives this object a deeper cultural significance. It directly refers to one of the most important and influential Latvian folklore ensembles. In 2026, Skandinieki celebrates its 50th anniversary (founded in Riga in 1976). The group played a crucial role in: • reviving authentic traditional singing • preserving ancient folk songs (dainas) • restoring ritual and seasonal traditions Founded by: • Helmī Stalte • Dainis Stalts They were not merely performers, but researchers of traditional culture. They traveled across rural Latvia documenting: ancient folk songs ritual chants traditional celebrations original melodies and lyrics and later performed them in an максимально authentic manner, avoiding stylization. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE This plate belongs to an important cultural period: 1970s–1980s, Latvian SSR During this time: national identity was preserved through art folklore functioned as a subtle form of cultural resistance decorative objects carried deeper symbolic meaning Therefore, this piece should be understood as: not just a decorative object but a carrier of cultural memory and identity OBJECT TYPE • decorative wall plate • hand-painted ceramic • intended for display, not for everyday use Originally created as an artistic interior object. DIMENSIONS Diameter: 50 cm. Depth: 4 cm. CONDITION • good vintage condition • no major damage • minor age-related wear may be present COLLECTIBLE VALUE This piece is attractive for: • collectors of Baltic art • enthusiasts of ethnographic ceramics • researchers of folk revival movements • buyers seeking meaningful cultural objects Key value points: • signed by the artist • strong figurative composition • direct reference to Skandinieki • 50th anniversary context SHIPPING • carefully packaged • protected for safe international delivery • tracked shipping FINAL NOTE This is not simply a decorative plate. It is: • a visual representation of Latvian folk tradition • a product of a culturally significant historical period • a signed work by a recognized artist • an object connected to a real and influential movement Pieces like this are not just collected — they become part of a narrative.