Flower Holder c. 1815

This flower holder was created by the Wedgwood Manufactory, a British pottery firm founded in 1759. Consider the aesthetic of the late 18th century. A dark matte background is enlivened with colorful, naturalistic flowers. This speaks to the era's fascination with the natural world, and a growing interest in botanical studies. Wedgwood was instrumental in the industrialization of the ceramics industry. Utilitarian objects were increasingly available to a growing middle class. Though the labor of enslaved people was not directly used by the company, it is worth remembering that industries like this developed alongside the exploitation of enslaved and colonial labor. This flower holder is not just an object of beauty, but also a material witness to the complex social and economic structures of its time. It invites us to consider the many hands and histories that shaped its creation and reception.