Cream jug c. 19th century

This cream jug of unknown date, created by an anonymous artist, is a study in the social life of objects. The jug, likely crafted during a time of expanding trade and colonial economies, speaks volumes about domestic rituals and social hierarchies. Consider its presence on a tea table, a silent witness to conversations shaped by the era's complex power dynamics. In a time when tea, sugar, and even the very material of this jug were linked to global trade and colonial exploitation, such an object becomes more than a simple vessel; it embodies the intricate connections between personal consumption and broader historical injustices. Who might have poured cream from it, and what role did they play in the social theater of their time? This cream jug is a reminder of the silent narratives held within everyday objects, narratives that challenge us to reflect on the intertwined nature of history, identity, and material culture.