Ear Drops c. late 18th century

Editor: Here we have a pair of "Ear Drops" crafted by the Wedgwood Manufactory around the late 18th century, made of ceramic. The blue and white is very striking. What do you see in these delicate objects? Curator: These earrings are beautiful examples of Neoclassical taste and decorative art, reflecting a broader cultural fascination with ancient Greece and Rome during the late 1700s. This "Etruscan" color palette was a commercial choice appealing to a growing consumer class; what do you think it means that the elite were manufacturing versions of themselves? Editor: Manufactured versions of themselves? That's interesting. It feels a bit performative, almost like they're staging themselves within history. Curator: Precisely. Wedgwood tapped into the aristocratic fashion of re-enacting antiquity. Beyond the visual pleasure, consider how these miniaturized figures perpetuate particular narratives. How might their presentation of idealized bodies relate to issues of class, gender, or race at that time? Editor: I guess it would exclude anyone who didn’t fit that ideal… making those with power seem even more powerful, maybe even superior? Curator: Absolutely. Jewelry often operates this way, broadcasting status and solidifying social hierarchies. Reflect on how something as seemingly innocuous as an earring can become a site where power is negotiated and visualized, perpetuating narratives of privilege. Editor: That's powerful! I never thought about earrings having such complex implications. Curator: Exactly. By questioning these narratives, we see how objects actively participate in larger cultural conversations around identity and representation. Editor: It gives me so much to think about! Thank you.