Mug 1690 - 1700

Editor: Here we have a red earthenware mug, believed to be made between 1690 and 1700 by David Elers. It feels surprisingly modern to me with its simple shape and repeating patterns, but I'm curious – what aspects of this mug stand out to you? Curator: The very fact that we're calling this a work by David Elers, rather than his workshop, is telling. This mug allows us to consider the early industrialization of ceramics. The late 17th century was a time of incredible innovation in ceramic production, and Elers was at the forefront. Editor: So, you're seeing this object as a product of its time, reflecting broader economic shifts? Curator: Precisely. Consider the material: red earthenware. It wasn't just about aesthetics. It was about access, affordability, and the emerging consumer market. The form, simple and functional, speaks to a growing middle class that desired these goods. And what about the repetitive nature of those applied decorations? What techniques do you think were used? Editor: Well, seeing the perfect repeatability, I am thinking a mold was employed to meet high market demands, speeding up the production. Curator: Exactly! So it’s not just about function, but how this mass production influenced its form. Were it handcrafted individually, we’d be discussing virtuosity and maybe symbolic significance, but with molding, what narrative shifts for you? Editor: That labor saving is built directly into the form itself. A beautiful handmade mug conveys different labor than this manufactured piece, but it is really eye-opening to consider how the production affects our viewing experience. Curator: Yes, it shifts the emphasis to the means of production and consumption, something that many art histories traditionally overlook.