Plaque with Triton and Nereids c. late 18th century

This is a plaque made at the Wedgwood Manufactory, which was established in England in the 18th century. It's made of Jasperware, a type of stoneware that was developed by Josiah Wedgwood. The pale blue background is actually integral to the material, stained throughout, with applied white figures in relief. Notice the crispness of the details, which Wedgwood achieved through a closely guarded process. This involved a high firing temperature, and careful control of the clay composition. Wedgwood's Jasperware became incredibly popular, prized for its refined aesthetic that was neoclassical in inspiration. But what is interesting is that it was factory produced. This allowed Wedgwood to bring luxury goods to a wider market, blurring the lines between art, craft, and industrial production. This plaque reminds us that even seemingly precious objects can be deeply embedded in the social and economic currents of their time.