Plate 1745 - 1775

This Whieldon-type plate, of unknown date, embodies the spirit of innovation and the societal hierarchies of 18th-century England. Whieldon ware emerged during a period when the English pottery industry was transforming, driven by technological advancements and global trade. These new methods were often brutal; working class people, including women and children, faced harsh conditions in the factories. The mottled glazes and naturalistic motifs seen here evoke an idealized rural life, a comforting fiction for an increasingly urbanized society, even as the means of its creation pulled people away from that life. The plate’s intricate design, which resembles tortoiseshell or cauliflower, speaks to a rising middle class eager to display its wealth through fashionable and decorative items. Consider this plate as a symbol of its time – a blend of artistry, industry, and social aspiration. It offers us a glimpse into the complex dynamics of a society on the cusp of profound change.