Dish 1833

This dish was made by the American Pottery Manufacturing Company, established in 1833. It seems to be a relatively simple object, but its existence speaks volumes about the industrialization of art and design in 19th century America. The blue and white color scheme, combined with the decorative patterns, suggests an attempt to emulate fine porcelain, which was usually imported from Europe. But, in fact, this dish is made from more common and affordable materials. American Pottery Manufacturing Company mass-produced such objects, making decorative tableware available to a wider range of consumers. What we see here, then, is how the mass production of consumer goods transformed the landscape of taste. To understand this object fully, we might look to company records or historical price lists to better understand the target audience. Through careful research, the cultural historian can uncover the complex social meanings embedded even in the most seemingly ordinary artifacts.