Sauceboat 1765 - 1785

This whimsical sauceboat was crafted by Ralph Wood the Younger in the 18th century from earthenware. In a period of burgeoning social stratification, the sauceboat reflects the era's complex relationship with nature and dining. The boar's head design connects to a long history of hunting and feasting rituals, a practice deeply entwined with class identity and power. The boar, rendered in rich brown glaze, emerges from a base of green foliage, its mouth agape. The handle is formed by a stylized swan, its neck arching gracefully, feathers and head painted with cobalt blue. This piece sits at the intersection of utility and representation, reflecting societal values and hierarchies. What emotions are evoked when the symbols of wilderness and status converge? The sauceboat encourages us to consider the narratives that objects can convey, and invites reflection on our relationship with them.