Game Pie Tureen c. 1850

This creamware game pie tureen was created by the Wedgwood manufactory, likely in England, sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. The decoration of the piece invokes a specific set of social rituals. The hunt was a preserve of the aristocracy, and a game pie such as this would have been both a celebration of a successful hunt, and a demonstration of the wealth of the hosts, who could afford to serve such a luxurious dish. The naturalistic decoration, with its rabbits and grapes, further emphasizes the connection between the pie and the natural world from which it came. Understanding an object like this requires us to research the social history of food and dining in the period. We can learn about the social hierarchy of Georgian England, the importance of the hunt in aristocratic culture, and the ways in which food was used to display status and wealth. These insights offer a glimpse into the society that produced and consumed such objects.