Cup (part of a set) 1765 - 1805

This cup was made by Wedgwood and Co., using ceramic and paint. The cup is a product of ceramic manufacture, likely slip-cast, where liquid clay is poured into a plaster mold. The imagery painted on its surface gives us a glimpse into the social context of its use. It suggests leisurely moments and polite society. But beneath this veneer of gentility lies a complex story of labor and production. Wedgwood was a pioneer in industrializing pottery production, dividing labor into specialized tasks. This process allowed for mass production, but also deskilled workers, reducing them to cogs in a machine. Looking closely, you can imagine the hands that shaped and decorated this cup, and reflect on the relationship between craft, industry, and social class. Ultimately, this cup is more than just a vessel for tea or coffee, it's a tangible reminder of the social and economic forces that shaped its creation.