Tegel in lijst, met man en vrouw in 18e-eeuws kostuum c. 1765 - 1775

This ceramic tile, framed in wood, was made by Sadler and Green, sometime between 1761 and 1777. Its monochrome scene depicts a couple in 18th-century dress. While ceramics are ancient, the transfer-printing technique used here, which allowed images to be applied to glazed surfaces, was relatively new at the time. This process enabled the mass production of decorative objects. The level of detail and precision would have been difficult to achieve by hand. The crisp black-and-white design contrasts with the soft clay beneath, and the frame around it suggests that it was intended as a decorative artwork for the home. Consider this tile in relation to the Industrial Revolution. What was once the domain of the artisan was becoming increasingly automated. New modes of production blurred the boundaries between craft, design, and industry. As such, this unassuming object embodies a pivotal moment in social and economic history.