Side plate c. 1800

This side plate was produced by Wedgwood, around 1759, and exemplifies the refined qualities of creamware. The slightly undulating surface and scalloped rim invite close inspection, highlighting the subtle variations achievable with ceramic materials. Wedgwood was a master not only of clay, but also of industrial processes. To create these objects, liquid clay, or slip, was poured into molds and fired. Transfer-printing, another industrialized technique, allowed for the application of the delicate, stylized floral decoration. The soft green hues complement the creamy white body of the plate. Wedgwood leveraged technological innovation to meet the growing demand for fashionable ceramics. The refined appearance of this plate belies the intense labor and ingenuity required to produce it. By blurring the boundaries between art, craft, and industry, Wedgwood transformed the landscape of ceramics.