Juglet c. 1770

The Worcester Royal Porcelain Company made this juglet from porcelain, painted in underglaze blue. Consider the juglet’s material qualities. The smooth, white surface of the porcelain provides an ideal canvas for the cobalt-blue floral decoration. But this wasn’t just decoration for decoration's sake. These wares were designed to appeal to the upper echelons of British society, signaling good taste and prosperity. This juglet reflects the industrial processes that transformed the decorative arts in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Worcester factory, like others, relied on a division of labor. Each worker specialized in a particular task, from mixing the clay to painting the designs. This allowed for mass production, and the spread of porcelain objects throughout society. At the same time, it's worth considering the human labor required to form the juglet, apply the decoration, and fire it in a kiln. This Juglet challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft. Its beauty lies not only in its form and decoration, but also in its material, its making, and its social context.