Schaal van aardewerk, Neale & Palmer Black Basalt c. 1790 - 1825

This earthenware dish of black basalt was made by Neale & Palmer in Hanley, sometime during their partnership which lasted from 1778 to 1786. Black basalt ware was first developed by Josiah Wedgwood in the 1760’s. This piece is representative of 18th century English industrial design, revealing the intersection of craftsmanship, commerce, and aesthetics. Such pieces were fashionable amongst the middle classes. The appeal lay in their clean lines and polished surfaces which mimicked luxury items made of materials such as marble, and slate. The surface of the plate has minimal decoration with a pressed border pattern of fluting and stylized vine leaves. The vine leaves hint at classical forms, and the process of pressing the design into the clay relates to industrial production methods, highlighting a moment of transition in English material culture.