Tureen with covered stand 1775 - 1790

This elegant Tureen with covered stand was made by Charles Loyal. We don’t know when, but can consider the methods of production. It's made of faience, a tin-glazed earthenware. You can see how the material influences the appearance, the overall whiteness of the object, and the smooth surface. The process starts with shaping the clay, followed by a bisque firing. The tin glaze is applied, providing a white ground for decoration. The painted decoration, typically in cobalt blue, is applied over the glaze, and then it's fired again. Consider this object in its social context. Faience was often made in workshops with specialized labor, reflecting the rise of industrial production. Its decoration is a hand-painted scene, yet the repetitive nature of these designs hints at the broader patterns of consumption and trade. Looking at this tureen through the lens of its making, we can appreciate how materials and processes intersect with social history, blurring the lines between art, craft, and industry.