Pair of wall brackets 1752 - 1755

Editor: This pair of porcelain wall brackets, made sometime between 1752 and 1755 by the Derby Porcelain Manufactory, is striking. They’re incredibly ornate for something functional. What can you tell me about them? Curator: Well, first consider the material itself. Porcelain production in 18th-century England wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was deeply intertwined with economics and class. Think about the raw materials – the clay, the fuel for the kilns, the specialized labor. These brackets weren't just beautiful; they represented a certain level of capital investment and access. Editor: So, they’re making a statement? Curator: Precisely! They're displaying wealth and taste. Now, examine the Rococo style. The swirling forms and elaborate decoration would have been incredibly labor-intensive to produce, signaling the factory's skilled workforce and the commissioner’s ability to afford such intricate work. Consider the social context. Editor: I guess I hadn't thought about all the work that went into them. It’s easy to just see them as fancy decorations. Curator: The "fancy decoration" IS the point. The very act of turning humble clay into these elaborate objects speaks to a desire for upward mobility and participation in a refined culture of consumption. We’re not just looking at ornaments; we are looking at objects embodying the aspirations and social dynamics of 18th-century Britain. What do you make of that? Editor: I now realize the brackets are also an artifact of production. Thank you, it's given me much food for thought!