Sleeve Button 1873 - 1876

Editor: This is a porcelain sleeve button from the Union Porcelain Works, dating between 1873 and 1876. It depicts a dog's head in profile. It’s quite small, but there’s a lot of detail in the animal's face. What story do you think this object tells? Curator: Well, on the surface, it's a portrait of a dog, likely a beloved pet. But considering the context, late 19th-century America was undergoing rapid industrialization. Objects like these, mass-produced yet striving for an air of artistry, speak to the changing dynamics of class and consumption. Do you see how a simple sleeve button becomes a symbol of aspiration? Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn't thought about it in terms of social mobility. The fact that it’s porcelain – usually reserved for more decorative or 'precious' items - is pretty interesting, then? Curator: Precisely. It’s porcelain made to mimic marble. Union Porcelain Works was aiming to capture a slice of the luxury market, offering accessible versions of what had previously been exclusive goods. What effect do you think this democratisation of luxury might have had on society? Editor: Maybe a blurring of class lines, at least visually? Someone could appear wealthier than they actually were, through these smaller, affordable luxuries. It reminds me a little of fast fashion today. Curator: Yes! And this mass production inevitably raises questions about labor conditions and the artistic integrity of the design itself. Was the designer valued? What were the working conditions in the factory? The button prompts these questions about industrialisation. Editor: Wow, a tiny sleeve button that opens up such a large perspective! I never would have considered the socioeconomic factors at play just by looking at it. Thanks for your insight! Curator: And I appreciate you pointing out the resemblance to today's fast fashion, bringing the dialogue into a current conversation!