Jug 1775 - 1780

Curator: At first glance, the jug exudes a pastoral charm, doesn't it? The cobalt blue landscape against the stark white porcelain feels both delicate and captivating. Editor: It certainly does. Let's delve a little deeper into its making, shall we? This "Jug," dating from 1775 to 1780, comes from the Worcester Royal Porcelain Company, and it’s currently held here at the Art Institute of Chicago. The craftsmanship evident in the molding of the porcelain, the firing, the transfer of the print... It’s quite impressive. Curator: Absolutely, especially if you consider the Rococo influence on decorative art. Think of the class implications when we analyze it: hunting scenes usually depicting an activity affordable only to the higher classes! Editor: That’s an excellent point. Notice how the entire jug is designed as a landscape, the blue designs seem as part of the shape of the ceramic as if it had grown in those shapes naturally... and also observe how even the handle seems like it's been shaped with foliage as a source of inspiration! Curator: And look at the embossed detail around the top of the jug, and then the sculpted face integrated into the spout, so that the drink might seem to be poured out of his mouth. How do these decisions reflect social and cultural norms of the time? What do the choice of imagery and the embrace of elaborate detail tell us about the values of those who made and used it? Editor: I think we must address the exploitation inherent in the making of these luxury goods, of course. Curator: It brings such a complex view. Editor: I agree. Curator: Well, reflecting on this jug reminds us of the power art has to both delight the senses and provoke questions about labor, consumption, and society. Editor: Indeed. Seeing this object from both a maker-centric and a context-driven perspective really underscores the multilayered stories objects can tell.