Virgins Awaking Cupid 1775 - 1785

Editor: This delicate porcelain sculpture, "Virgins Awaking Cupid," made by the Derby Porcelain Manufactory around 1775-1785, shows such careful crafting. It has such a pristine feel. I’m interested in hearing more about how this kind of object comes into being. What are your insights into the process? Curator: This piece offers a clear glimpse into the intricate processes inherent in 18th-century porcelain production. Consider the specialized labor required: from the kaolin mining, clay preparation, the shaping, the firing, all of which speaks to division of labor inherent in manufactories of the time. It also begs the question of what these materials meant to different segments of society. Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn't considered the social implications embedded in the materiality of porcelain. What would these implications be? Curator: Well, think about it – porcelain was a luxury item, initially imported from China. This English manufactory's work attempts to compete with and capture some of that market. The allegory becomes a means of demonstrating the factory's capabilities and attracting wealthy patrons. What social class do you think were the initial owners of the final artwork? Editor: Likely aristocrats who were displaying this at their homes, possibly? So this beautiful object is actually bound to production, class, and even competition. That adds new layers to its charm for me. Thanks for clarifying that! Curator: Exactly! The artistic value of the object resides not only in its visual appeal but also in the story of its making, it becomes an item charged with social history.