Jug c. 1800

This jug was likely made at the Staffordshire Potteries, using a process called Jasperware. The jug is made from a fine-grained, unglazed stoneware, colored a muted green. What makes Jasperware distinct are the applied classical motifs. These were made separately in molds and then carefully applied to the surface of the jug before firing. The contrast between the green body and the white reliefs gives the jug a crisp, refined appearance. This sophisticated, neoclassical style gained popularity in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, reflecting a broader interest in classical art and design. The jug shows the division of labor which underpinned Staffordshire’s success. Some workers would have been responsible for mixing the clay, others for molding the bodies, and others for the painstaking work of applying the sprigged decoration. By carefully considering these labor and production processes, we can fully understand this jug's place in the history of both art and industry.