Water Ewer 1780 - 1785

This black basalt Water Ewer, made by the Wedgwood Manufactory, presents a fascinating intersection of classical form and industrial innovation. Rooted in the late 18th-century, a period marked by the rise of industrialization and the fervent revival of classical aesthetics, it embodies the complex relationship between artistic aspiration and societal progress. The ewer's design, adorned with Neoclassical figures, evokes a romanticized vision of antiquity, yet its production through industrial methods reflects the changing socio-economic landscape of the time. How does the use of labor and material connect to the narrative of progress? This piece invites reflection on the cultural values that shaped its creation and reception. It prompts us to consider how our own historical moment influences our understanding of beauty, utility, and the narratives we project onto objects.