Great jug 19th century

This electrotype copy of a jug was crafted by the English firm Elkington & Co. in the 19th century. The jug mimics a Renaissance style and aesthetic. Mass production of luxury goods like this jug became more common in the 19th century as industrialization increased, making it possible for the middle classes to decorate their homes with items that would have previously been exclusive to the upper classes. It’s no coincidence that the South Kensington Museum, now the V&A, was founded in this era with the express purpose of educating manufacturers and the public about art and design. The museum collected and displayed objects like this jug to encourage good taste and improve the quality of British design. To better understand the context of this object, one might consult design journals from the period, manufacturer’s catalogs, and records of international exhibitions where such items were displayed and judged. The history of art is inseparable from the history of institutions and social change.