This ceramic Poodle was made in the 1800s by Mary Atwood. It’s a playful object, but to understand its cultural context, we must look at the ways class distinctions operated at this time. During the nineteenth century, certain breeds of dog were associated with wealth and status and the poodle was especially prevalent amongst upper-class women. By breeding small dogs as household companions, wealth became something that could be possessed and displayed. It could be flaunted as something to be coddled and adored. Looking at this sculpture, we might consider the role of the artist in the creation of luxury goods. We might then research how these sorts of objects were bought, sold and consumed. We should consider the ways in which cultural institutions like museums allow us to encounter and interpret these kinds of objects today.