Butter Tub c. 1760

This butter tub was made by the Worcester Royal Porcelain Company. These types of porcelain pieces were common in the 18th century, amidst a growing market for domestic goods. Items like this butter tub reflect the colonial trade routes which existed at this time. Porcelain production was initially centered in Asia, however, as global trade expanded, European companies sought to replicate and profit from these luxury goods. The blue floral design on the tub is directly influenced by Chinese porcelain patterns. Butter was also a coveted commodity, it became a staple on the tables of the upper and middle classes. Dairy production and trade were linked to gendered labor roles. The image of women churning butter became a popular motif in art and literature, often romanticizing rural life. This butter tub, therefore, represents a complex nexus of global trade, class aspirations, and gendered labor.