Tureen c. 1775

This off-white, earthenware tureen and accompanying tableware speak to the history of class and consumption. Created by an anonymous maker, this dinner service reflects the rise of industrialization and the expansion of consumer culture. During this period, dining became increasingly ritualized among the middle and upper classes. Porcelain, like this, was a symbol of wealth and status, reflecting a family's ability to afford luxury items. The delicate design of this tureen and its matching dishes also suggests a certain level of refinement and taste. These objects also raise questions about labor and production. Who made this tureen, and under what conditions? What were their lives like, and how did their labor contribute to the lifestyles of the wealthy? These are crucial questions that remind us that objects, even those as seemingly innocuous as a tureen, are always embedded in complex social and economic relations. This dinnerware, beautiful as it is, speaks volumes about power, privilege, and the human cost of consumption.