Kop van hardgebakken aardewerk; Stockton c. 1850 - 1870

This teacup was made by William Smith in Stockton, using earthenware. While we don't know exactly when it was made, such pottery was popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The imagery on the teacup, seemingly depicting an exotic, possibly colonial, landscape, points towards the global trade and imperial ambitions characteristic of that era. Teacups like these reflect a growing consumer culture and the way commodities became vehicles for disseminating ideas about other cultures. Notice the level of detail achieved through transfer printing, a technique that allowed for mass production, making such items more accessible to a wider audience. Examining surviving business records, trade catalogs, and even archaeological finds, we can explore the complex social and economic networks behind this seemingly simple object. The teacup serves as a reminder that even everyday objects can reveal larger historical narratives about cultural exchange and social values.