Five drawings showing the manufacture of china 1800 - 1900

This sheet of five drawings, made by an anonymous artist, illustrates the stages of china manufacture. The drawings offer a glimpse into the labor-intensive processes and the division of labor within the pottery industry. They depict various stages, from the physically demanding work of flint crushing to the more skilled tasks of pottery turning and plate making. One drawing shows a woman transferring prints onto the china, highlighting the role of women in the decoration process. Each stage reflects specific skills and working conditions, revealing how industrial labor was intricately organized. Consider the social implications embedded in this imagery. The division of labor often intersected with gender, class, and even racial hierarchies. While these drawings provide a visual record of china manufacture, they also invite us to reflect on the human experiences—the physical demands, the skills honed, and the identities shaped—within the context of industrial production. The drawings serve as a reminder that behind every object lies a complex web of human labor and social relations, inviting us to contemplate the stories embedded in the things we use every day.