Ladle c. 1765

The Worcester Royal Porcelain Company made this Ladle from porcelain, though its exact date of creation is unknown. Its existence speaks volumes about the society that produced and used it. Consider the role of porcelain in British history: it was a coveted import from China, and its local manufacture symbolized wealth, industry, and empire. Decorated with vibrant, meticulously painted floral designs, this ladle transforms a simple utilitarian object into a display of luxury and refinement. But who benefitted from this luxury? The beauty of this object obscures the labor and colonial exploitation that made it possible. Porcelain production relied on the labor of factory workers, including women and children, often in harsh conditions. The raw materials and the very idea of porcelain were extracted from other cultures, reflecting Britain’s imperial reach. This ladle reminds us that even the most beautiful objects carry complex histories of power, labor, and cultural exchange.