Bowl (part of a service) 1775 - 1795

This porcelain bowl was produced in the Caughley Factory in England between 1772 and 1799. As part of a larger service, this bowl reflects the consumer culture that took hold in 18th-century Europe, when tea drinking was introduced as a social ritual. The bowl’s decoration is significant. The draped, swag-like design was often used in architecture and interior decoration, suggesting an attempt to elevate the status of porcelain. Made for a life of display and use, it was a luxury item. The rise of factories like Caughley tells us about the birth of industrial capitalism and global trade. Porcelain production relied on raw materials sourced from around the world, thus reflecting the economic structures of colonialism. By consulting historical records, such as factory inventories, trade documents, and social histories, we can better understand the social and institutional contexts that shaped the production and consumption of objects like this bowl.