Spy or opera glass 1785 - 1799

This spy or opera glass was made by Josiah Wedgwood in England sometime in the late 18th century. Wedgwood was a master potter and entrepreneur during the height of the British Empire, and his creations often reflect the values and aesthetics of that era. At first glance, the glass seems like a mere luxury item, but it invites us to consider the intertwined threads of class, empire, and representation. The delicate neoclassical motifs and the intricate craftsmanship speak to the refined tastes of the upper classes who patronized Wedgwood's factory. These decorative flourishes often mask the exploitation that fueled their creation. The raw materials and the finished products circulated through networks of trade and extraction, connecting England to its colonies and dependencies. As you examine this opera glass, consider the social and economic contexts that made it possible and whose stories are silenced by its elegant form.