Pigeon 1750 - 1765

This earthenware figure of a pigeon was produced by the Whieldon factory, a center for ceramic innovation in 18th-century England. The mottled glazing exemplifies Whieldon ware, which imitated natural materials. Consider that the figure’s creation took place during the Enlightenment, when natural science and taxonomy flourished. But more than just a scientific specimen, this pigeon signifies humanity’s complex relationship with the natural world. Pigeons can be symbols of peace and communication, yet they're also associated with urban blight and disease. The figure invites us to question: how do we categorize and value the life around us? Does our perception of nature shift based on our needs and fears? The "Whieldon type" designation reminds us that artistic creation is often collaborative and that individual genius exists within networks of labor.