Cup with Cover and Saucer c. 1780

This covered cup and saucer, made by the Wedgwood manufactory, displays the distinctive jasperware that made the company famous. With its classical motifs, the design evokes a sense of ancient refinement, reminiscent of pottery from classical antiquity. But in order to understand this, we must look at the social conditions that shaped its production. Wedgwood was at the forefront of industrial innovation in Britain. By streamlining production, it could produce luxury goods at a fraction of the cost. The company was keen to associate itself with progressive causes; Josiah Wedgwood was himself an active abolitionist. We can see his abolitionist sympathies reflected in his products. It is well known that Wedgwood created a cameo of a kneeling enslaved man with the motto "Am I Not a Man and a Brother?" Such details help us understand the complex history of this jasperware, and the social milieu of its creation. To delve deeper, explore Wedgwood's company records, museum collections, and scholarly articles. The meaning of art is contingent on a broader context of history.