Sugar Bowl 1775 - 1800

This sugar bowl was crafted by the Wedgwood Manufactory, showcasing the enduring appeal of jasperware. The cobalt blue ground, adorned with neoclassical motifs in white relief, speaks to the 18th and 19th-century fascination with antiquity. But let's think about sugar itself. What role did this sweet substance play in shaping global power dynamics? Sugar production was inextricably linked to the exploitation of enslaved labor. Consider the emotional weight carried by objects like this sugar bowl. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, they serve as potent reminders of the complex entanglement of beauty, luxury, and social injustice. How does the artistry of this piece intersect with the history of those who bore the burden of its creation?