Vase c. 1860

This vase was made in the Wedgwood Manufactory. It is an extraordinary example of Jasperware, Wedgwood's signature stoneware, colored pale blue and decorated with sprigged white relief. Consider how Wedgwood achieved this effect. The vase was cast in plaster molds in multiple parts, with details meticulously applied by hand. The smooth, matte surface of the stoneware emphasizes the crispness of the Neoclassical ornament – swans, acanthus leaves, and classical ruins. Now, Wedgwood was not just an artist, but an industrialist. His factory system, with its division of labor and emphasis on precision, was revolutionary. He aimed to produce luxury goods efficiently for the burgeoning middle class. The pale blue color, the classical motifs – all were carefully calibrated to appeal to the tastes of the time, and to project an image of refined gentility. So, next time you see a Wedgwood vase, remember that it's not just a beautiful object, but also a product of a specific moment in history. It embodies the ambition and ingenuity of the industrial revolution, and the desire to bring art and design to a wider audience.