Schotel van hardgebakken aardewerk; Stockton c. 1830 - 1860

This hard-baked earthenware plate was made in Stockton, most likely in the 19th century by William Smith's ceramics factory. The image on the plate shows figures from classical mythology. These sorts of images were very popular in Europe at the time. The rise of industrial production methods meant that these sorts of plates were affordable for a wider range of people. In Britain at this time there was a growing middle class. They had more money and leisure time than ever before. Things like ceramics became a way to show off their knowledge and status. Factories such as William Smith's were savvy and fed the market with fashionable images that would be desirable to a broad range of people. To understand images like this, we need to look at who was buying them, where they were displayed, and what messages they sent out to the world. Historians can use sources like trade directories, museum collections, and design books to learn more about this period.