Meat Dish c. 1775

This creamware meat dish was made by an anonymous maker. It consists of a set of plates, bowls, and serving vessels. The pieces are made from creamware, an English innovation dating to the mid-1700s, whose light color and smooth surface made it an ideal ground for decoration. These particular pieces are relatively plain, adorned with subtle rims. The forms are all slip-cast – a production process that allowed for relatively quick and easy replication. Creamware like this speaks to the rise of consumer culture in the 18th century. While luxury goods had always been available to the elite, this material allowed for more affordable tableware to be produced on a mass scale. It also allowed for a rising middle class to participate in complex social rituals, like formal dining. By looking at these pieces, we can learn about the material culture and social dynamics of the past. It prompts us to reconsider the significance of everyday objects and their role in shaping cultural identities and values.