Pitcher 1849 - 1858

Editor: So, this piece is a ceramic pitcher, probably stoneware, made by the United States Pottery Company sometime between 1849 and 1858. I’m really struck by its intricate design and, honestly, how strange the handle is—it looks like an otter! What do you make of something like this, with its obvious connection to daily life? Curator: This pitcher, seemingly just a functional object, is actually a rich site for investigating social values of the mid-19th century. Think about the landscape relief, the inclusion of animals—how do these choices reflect a particular relationship to the natural world that was being fostered at the time? Editor: Well, there's definitely a sense of idealized nature...the animals seem at peace in a cultivated scene. And the otter handle does strike me as eccentric. Curator: Precisely! It's not a "realistic" rendering, right? How does that stylistic choice potentially romanticize or even sentimentalize nature? What are the potential implications? Is this purely decorative? Or does it imply particular status aspirations, given the implied wealth to consume decor such as this? Editor: Hmm, I didn’t think about class. The animal motif feels almost fable-like... perhaps these stoneware pitchers reflect the owners’ perceived place in society. Curator: Consider also how mass production of ceramics, even with unique details, relates to shifting labor practices and consumerism at the time. Who had access to such objects? Who didn’t? These pieces existed within complex power dynamics. Editor: It's amazing to consider that something so simple opens a discussion of broader social themes like class, production, and access. Curator: Absolutely. Everyday objects offer unique entry points to deconstruct historical and societal norms, wouldn’t you agree?