Plaque with Marriage of Cupid and Psyche 1787

This plaque, depicting the Marriage of Cupid and Psyche, was made at the Wedgwood Manufactory, and is made of Jasperware. This was not traditional fine art material, but a type of stoneware perfected by Josiah Wedgwood in the late 1700s. The distinctive matte surface and the contrast between the colored background and white relief were meant to imitate ancient cameos. But these were not carved. Instead, the designs were molded in great numbers, which meant they could be sold at a far lower price. Wedgwood shrewdly exploited the division of labor, with different workers responsible for mixing the clay, pressing it into molds, and firing the results. These were industrial methods, pure and simple, yet the products still evoke the refinement of handcraft. Wedgwood’s innovations made neoclassical style accessible to a wider audience. Understanding the means of production helps us appreciate how this object democratized taste, while cleverly blurring the lines between art, craft, and industry.