Cup (part of a set) 1785 - 1799

This cup was made by Josiah Wedgwood, probably in the late 18th century, from his signature creamware. The material is a refined earthenware, capable of taking very crisp molded decoration, as you can see in the sprigged floral pattern. What's interesting about Wedgwood is that he was one of the first to fully grasp the division of labor that would come to define industrial capitalism. While he certainly valued artistry, his factory was all about production. Each worker would have had a specialized task. Some would mix the clay, others would cast the forms, and still others would apply the decoration. All of this was done to make luxury goods like this cup available to a wider market. So while creamware might look refined, even delicate, it represents a sea change in how objects were made and consumed. It's a great example of how the study of materials and making can give us insight into broader social and economic changes.