Jug 1882 - 1886

This dark, salt-glazed stoneware jug was created by Ernest Chaplet, a key figure in the French art pottery movement. Chaplet worked during a period of significant social change and industrial advancement in France, drawing inspiration from both traditional craftsmanship and new technologies. The jug's decoration of grapes and vines invites consideration of the historical and cultural associations of wine: celebration, community, and conviviality. In the 19th century, France, wine was deeply entwined with national identity and social life, but what does this artwork tell us about access and class? The dark stoneware and simple design suggest utility, but the carefully rendered grapevines speak to a refined aesthetic sensibility, alluding to the complex relationship between art and everyday life. Chaplet's stoneware jug reflects broader issues of cultural identity, social class, and the evolving role of art in a rapidly changing world.