Bowl 1760s

This bowl was made in the Staffordshire Potteries, most likely in the 19th century, using molded earthenware with colored glazes. These materials were not exactly high-end, but were intended for the middle classes. The bowl’s shape speaks to industrial modes of production. Notice the vertical ribs around the exterior. These would have been created using a mold, allowing for consistency and efficiency. The decoration, though colorful and lively, also shows signs of mass production, in that it is casually applied. This kind of slip-cast earthenware was a mainstay of British industry, and was exported around the world. Its very ubiquity is part of the story. Looking closely at the base material and manufacturing processes helps us to appreciate how this object served an expanding consumer market. Though this bowl may not be “high art” in the traditional sense, it embodies artistry nonetheless.