Pitcher 1849 - 1858

This Rockingham glazed earthenware pitcher was made in the United States, probably in the late 19th century, by the United States Pottery Company. The form is clearly indebted to classical precedents, but this isn't fine porcelain. It’s pottery - humble stuff, that’s been given a mottled brown glaze for visual interest. This kind of ware was produced in vast quantities in both Britain and America, and was aimed at a middle-class market. The relatively low cost of production is reflected in the design. The vertical fluting and decorative flourishes are molded, allowing them to be quickly and efficiently reproduced. It represents the rise of industrial manufacturing and consumer culture. Everyday objects were increasingly being designed and produced for a mass market. The amount of hand-work has been reduced to a minimum. Looking at this pitcher, we can begin to appreciate the ways in which objects of daily life can tell us a great deal about broad economic and social trends. It’s a reminder that the history of art is also the history of work.