Jug c. 1825

This pink lustreware jug with a portrait of Benjamin Franklin was made by the Staffordshire Potteries in England. The jug's design speaks volumes about the popular appetite for imagery in the 19th century. Staffordshire Potteries mass-produced commemorative pottery for a growing middle class, eager to display their allegiances and cultural knowledge through household objects. Franklin, as a symbol of American ingenuity and democratic ideals, was a popular choice. Transfer-printed onto the jug is a portrait, framed by the words "BENJ. FRANKLIN, LL.D, F.R.S." followed by "Born at Boston, New England Jan 6, 1706." The titles after his name highlight Franklin's intellectual achievements and his connections to the Royal Society, thus cementing his status as an Enlightenment figure. Historians would investigate trade routes, the political climate between England and America, and the burgeoning market for commemorative goods to fully understand the jug's significance. This jug isn't just a vessel; it's a window into a world of transatlantic exchange and the commodification of fame.