Pitcher 1844 - 1857

This pitcher was made by William Boch and Brothers sometime in the mid-19th century, using porcelain. It’s a high-end material requiring precise firing in a kiln. The bright white color is due to the fine kaolin clay from which it’s made, and the intricate surface decoration is achieved through the use of molds. Notice how the raised patterns of grapes and figures give it a tactile quality. This kind of ornamentation was very popular at the time, as manufacturers sought to appeal to a growing middle class with aspirations to luxury. Look closely, and you might start to imagine the division of labor, from the designers who conceived of the form to the workers who cast and fired it. Mass production meant that items like this pitcher could be made relatively quickly and at a lower cost, but the amount of handcrafting still involved is considerable, which is probably why the maker chose to put their name on the piece. Next time you see a decorative object like this, consider the complex social and economic forces that shaped its creation.