Jug 1800 - 1810

This jug was created by Herculaneum Pottery Co. Notice how the jug presents a fascinating interplay of utility and decoration. The body of the jug is rendered in a creamy, neutral tone, acting as a canvas for the detailed monochrome print of a sailing ship cutting through a sea of green brushstrokes. Gilded floral motifs and scalloped bands adorn the upper and lower rims, adding an element of luxury and symbolic value. The ship, a symbol of trade and exploration, sits above the words 'Success to the Liverpool Packet,' suggesting a toast or tribute to maritime commerce. This visual narrative invites us to consider how objects mediate our relationship to ideas of prosperity and progress. The contrast between the industrial precision of the printed ship and the handcrafted nature of the gilded flourishes speaks to a tension between mass production and artisanal craftsmanship. This piece transcends its functional purpose, becoming a cultural artifact laden with signs of its time.