Jug 1800 - 1815

This jug, likely manufactured in the 19th century by Phillips and Co., presents a visual narrative that intertwines industrial progress with personal identity. Note how the pink lusterware glaze, fashionable at the time, frames a stark, monochrome print of the Iron Bridge over the Wear. The image celebrates engineering and the burgeoning industrial revolution in England, yet its presence on a domestic object brings it into the realm of everyday life. The jug might have served tea to a family, perhaps one directly impacted by the very industries symbolized by the bridge. Consider the juxtaposition: a symbol of modernity embraced within the intimate setting of a home. Does this object honor progress, or does it serve as a constant reminder of a world irrevocably changed? It invites us to reflect on how we reconcile personal comfort with the larger forces shaping our society.