Pitcher 1846

This pitcher, made by Harker, Taylor and Company, showcases the technique of Rockingham ware, popular in the 19th century. A reddish-brown glaze coats the earthenware body, creating a mottled, treacle-like surface that collectors find so appealing. The pitcher’s form is complex, with molded decoration depicting a hunting scene and grapevine ornamentation around the rim. The handle is formed as a leaping hound. This level of detail suggests production via industrial means, like slip-casting and specialized kilns. The design likely began with a modeler, who carved the original form; from this, molds could be made and used for repeated production. The aesthetic, which combines naturalistic elements with a sense of robust prosperity, speaks to the era’s burgeoning middle class, eager to display their taste and wealth. These kinds of wares blurred the boundaries between art and industry, craft and commodity, democratizing access to decorative objects while also relying on factory production. It reminds us that the things we live with are also products of a particular social and economic world.