Pitcher c. 19th century

Curator: Before us stands a pewter pitcher, dating back to the 19th century and currently held here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Editor: Its metallic surface certainly gives it a severe elegance, a sort of distilled opulence. Curator: It's interesting to consider the social dynamics that gave rise to objects like this. This was crafted during a period where the emerging middle class began emulating the aristocracy’s taste in tableware. Editor: Exactly! It embodies the democratisation of craft processes; objects previously available only to the upper classes are rendered accessible via advancements in metalworking. And if you look closely, you can tell this pitcher bears the marks of its creation, little imperfections, tool marks. These are clues to a broader history of labor and the social world of artisans in the 19th century. Curator: Absolutely. It reflects a wider struggle of working-class communities pushing against established cultural hegemonies. Editor: While its surface presents a smooth finish, don’t forget the grit of metal foundries! Also, notice the utilitarian, pared-down handle: that is pure design responding to manufacture! The handle appears to be almost fused, melded seamlessly onto the body of the pitcher. Curator: The fact that the Baroque design has been stripped bare highlights how the concept of 'good design' shifted. Consumption practices were undergoing rapid shifts alongside class identities at this moment. Editor: Looking at this rather humble pitcher opens up such broad historical views onto material culture, labor relations, even consumption patterns. It is fascinating how one object, skillfully created and now displayed, connects to these discussions! Curator: Precisely. These shifts reflected—and refracted—intersecting identities and aspirations within nineteenth-century society, questioning notions of status and access in their most elemental form. Editor: From its materiality to the production process, there are layers of social context embedded within this everyday piece!