Sleeve Button 1873 - 1876

Curator: Here we have a “Sleeve Button”, believed to have been created between 1873 and 1876 by the Union Porcelain Works. The piece is fashioned from porcelain. Editor: Immediately, I notice its almost ghostly quality. The bright, stark white porcelain against the void makes it seem to float, like a disembodied thought or dream. Curator: Porcelain's rise to prominence in the decorative arts during the 19th century is something to consider. Mass production made these luxury objects more accessible, and figural sculptures like this became markers of middle-class taste. Editor: I am wondering about the breed choice; what message was it intending to convey at the time? Was there a dog culture at that time that linked it to ideas of loyalty, status, or even perhaps an uncomfortable association with power? Curator: It’s intriguing to imagine the context in which this was produced. Union Porcelain Works aimed to compete with European manufacturers, appealing to the tastes of a burgeoning American market with sculptural novelties. Editor: Yes, and if we are seeing it as a novelty for American market, what commentary, if any, does that represent within broader economic and cultural landscapes of that era? Curator: Porcelain, once rare and exclusive, transformed into everyday ornamentation as production technologies advanced. This period reflects industrialization that deeply influenced artistic expression and societal structures, as the United States was rapidly expanding westward and dealing with its recent civil war. Editor: It prompts us to contemplate the complexities inherent to consumerism; the values and even class structures embedded within our desires for self-expression and status. Even a seemingly straightforward sleeve button encapsulates rich stories and significant socioeconomic layers when put into that perspective. Curator: A tiny detail becomes a key to understanding significant shifts. Looking closer reveals the larger social narratives woven within these beautiful objects. Editor: Absolutely, by viewing it through a modern perspective, this small porcelain canine transforms from mere decoration into a compelling focus of inquiry, opening numerous interesting discussions.