Autumn (part of a set of four) 1775 - 1785

Curator: Let's consider this delightful piece, “Autumn,” part of a set of four seasonal figures crafted sometime between 1775 and 1785. It appears to be the work of Neale & Co. Editor: It strikes me immediately as delicate, almost saccharine. A young girl with a basket brimming with dark grapes; quite petite, standing on what seems to be a swirl of… frosting? Is it porcelain? Curator: Indeed. The piece exemplifies the Rococo style's enduring influence within decorative arts. What captivates me is how this porcelain figure engages with notions of idealised pastoral life popular amongst the gentry at this time. The social hierarchy perpetuated a romanticized version of labour that’s clearly not represented here in the truest of senses. Editor: Right, idealized, sanitized labor. Thinking about the labor involved – someone had to meticulously craft that mould, another carefully paint those tiny dots on her apron. What about access to these skilled crafts, were they limited by class or guild affiliations at the time? How easily would any random artist get access to the materials, technology and workshop time, which inevitably influence who gets to become an artist? Curator: Precisely! Neale & Co., like many manufacturers catering to a burgeoning middle class, leveraged access to resources to capture specific markets, fueling both artistic output and a demand for pieces just like this, which celebrated idyllic country themes but were obviously produced far removed from rural life. It reveals much about the emerging culture of domestic display of acquired pieces. Editor: Absolutely. Looking at the materials—ceramic so smooth it imitates skin, colors so deliberately sweet — and it all speaks volumes. From raw clay to fashionable ornament, this transformation carries so many stories! A narrative about artistic choices that reflect larger economic realities for consumption. Curator: Yes, ultimately it acts as a wonderful artifact embodying material culture in an era of great social change and aspiration! Editor: Absolutely, something small that says a lot if you look closely at what went into making it!