Bağımsız Güncel Son Dakika Haber Sitesi

A Transporting and Cozy Biography of a Pottery Pioneer

During this pandemic, the upper-middle class went bonkers over pots. They clanged them nightly on the street in homage to health care workers …

A Transporting and Cozy Biography of a Pottery Pioneer

During this pandemic, the upper-middle class went bonkers over pots. They clanged them nightly on the street in homage to health care workers, and as soon as they were loosed from quarantine they marched into studios like eager kindergartners to create their own ceramics. Perhaps these hobbyists whose uneven, sometimes Seussian efforts fill Instagram “shelfies” — Seth Rogen, I’m talking to you — could find #inspo in a new biography of the 18th-century potter Josiah Wedgwood. It encourages the rest of us to look at our crockery more critically.

Josiah Wedg-wha? one might ask — and understandably, because the brand once synonymous with fine china has in the 21st century lost much of its luster. Indeed so has “fine china” generally, with most young moderns now preferring rough-hewed mismatches they can fling in the dishwasher to elaborate sets. And production of the veddy English Wedgwood, which used to occur in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, is now largely outsourced to Asia, the very continent it was founded to compete with.

Globalization and its discontents obviously trouble Tristram Hunt, author of “The Radical Potter.” Hunt, a historian and the director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, has also written a biography of Friedrich Engels. As a member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent, he lobbied hard for preservation efforts at this former industry hub, a once-magical L. Frank Baum-ish place of rolling hills and swirling smoke now blighted by, among other structures, a Best Western. But Hunt packs his indignation about what has happened to the company into a fiery epilogue. His focus is the man and his times, in a book that, with its yellowed maps and extensive quotations from ye olde correspondence, is both utterly transporting and extremely cozy.

Josiah was born the youngest of a dozen children into a primitive, churchy iteration of the business. He walked seven miles round-trip to school by the age of 6 — take that, TikTok tots — and was encouraged to question authority. The loss of one leg (weakened by smallpox, further damaged in a road accident and finally amputated and replaced with a wooden prosthetic) helped form his character, like Captain Ahab’s. Unable to labor at the wheel, Wedgwood would gravitate instead to design and labor reform: “a hands-on manager,” writes Hunt, who compares him to Steve Jobs, “overseeing his potbanks with a steely professionalism.”

Tristram Hunt, whose new book is “The Radical Potter: The Life and Times of Josiah Wedgwood.”Credit…Tom Whittaker

Wedgwood’s white whale was porcelain, or “white gold”: the delicate import, most famously from Jingdezhen, China, that was ardently collected by European royalty, decorating a pavilion for Louis XIV’s extramarital trysts at Versailles and a Polish king’s palace in Dresden. Unable to crack the foreign formula, Wedgwood and his collaborators instead refined the already-established local creation of creamware to make it “queen’s ware,” “pearlware” and other proprietary, poetically named variations, exporting them with great success around the globe.

Though Wedgwood had a Wonka-like fear of spies, his potbanks became popular guided tourist stops for the cultural elite; and he was a pioneer of the celebrity endorsement, which in that era meant nobles or royals — though he later supported the American revolutionaries. His most triumphant commission was probably for Catherine the Great of Russia: a 944-piece Frog Service, adorned lovingly with English landscapes and landmarks (and frogs). The result was not just schmancy dinnerware but a “cultural manifesto.”

One of the many pleasures of “The Radical Potter” is its meticulous catalog of the china-buying public’s tastes, some whimsical — marvel as the goofy cauliflower motif is surpassed by the exotic pineapple — others bizarre or sinister. “Helpfully, the fashion for ladies to wear white gloves during the tea service and even bleach their hands porcelain-white with arsenic also increased demand for black-basalt teaware,” Hunt writes of one 1770s fad, “as the darkness of the basalt highlighted the cleanliness of the hostesses’ wardrobe or the purity of their genealogy.” When people started losing their minds over vases, Wedgwood clocked the “epidemical madness” and created a whole new settlement, Etruria, named for a region of ancient Italy, to satisfy demand for the neo-Classical.

The exchange between nations prompts many felicities of language — who but linguists knew that “porcelain” derives from Venetian slang for “little piglet,” itself a nickname for a certain kind of shell? — and rampant punning, whether or not intentional. Wedgwood’s father “failed to make much of a mark.” When Josiah’s beloved best friend and business partner died, Hunt’s subject was — yes — “shattered.” Will your eyes glaze over reading about the importance of Britain’s naval prowess to the ceramics trade? Perhaps, but on balance this is as dishy a biography about dishes as can be imagined.

More seriously, Hunt offers convincing evidence that Wedgwood, his questionable acceptance of hand-bleaching notwithstanding, was a committed if somewhat armchair abolitionist, alert to the horrors of the triangular trade that undergirded his commerce, especially the sugar that was also known as “white gold.” His widely circulated and copied cameo featuring a kneeling slave with the motto “Am I Not a Man and a Brother?” though regrettably generic, “deserves to be remembered as one of the most radical symbols in modern history,” Hunt argues. (Incorporated into snuffbox lids, bracelets and hair pins, it could also be seen as an early example of virtue signaling.)

On top of everything, Wedgwood was a devoted family man: “uxorious” to and solicitous of his wife and third cousin, Sarah, he helped to home-school their brood even though there wasn’t a pandemic at the time. (Look also for the appearance of Wedgwood’s rogue nephew Tom Byerley — shades of Cousin Greg on “Succession”.) Alas, he didn’t live to see the birth of his grandson: Charles Darwin. This being the 18th century, some ghastly medical events happened within the walls of the Wedgwood domicile, though usually nothing “a Puke, & the Cold Bath & Pump” and the like couldn’t fix. I do wonder if Josiah helped with the washing-up.

ETİKETLER:
BU KONUYU SOSYAL MEDYA HESAPLARINDA PAYLAŞ
ZİYARETÇİ YORUMLARI

Henüz yorum yapılmamış. İlk yorumu aşağıdaki form aracılığıyla siz yapabilirsiniz.

BİR YORUM YAZ
bahçe dekorasyonu evde ek gelir eskişehir haber sondakika haberleri magazin haberleri seo sorgulama site analiz seo analiz google sıra bulucu backlink sorgulama sunucu tarama çekiliş çekiliş sitesi Who is html kod şifreleme seo hacklink hacklink satış hacklink panel wordpress ücretsiz tema wordpress free themes wordpress free tema wordpress themes wordpress hacklink al kilo verme wso shell php shell hacklink hacklink panel hızlı seo hacklink seo nedir wso shell instagram takipçi hilesi instagram takipçi hilesi
bahçe dekorasyonu evde ek gelir eskişehir haber sondakika haberleri magazin haberleri seo sorgulama site analiz seo analiz google sıra bulucu backlink sorgulama sunucu tarama çekiliş çekiliş sitesi Who is html kod şifreleme seo hacklink hacklink satış hacklink panel wordpress ücretsiz tema wordpress free themes wordpress free tema wordpress themes wordpress hacklink al kilo verme wso shell php shell hacklink hacklink panel hzlı seo hacklink seo nedir wso shell
hacklink satışbacklink satışseo analizseo analizseo araclarıbacklinkwso shellwso shellhtml code encryptionindoxploit shellfree shopmarlboro double fusiondjarum blackcaptain blackLucky strikecaptain black sigaramarmaris escortcaptain black sigaracaptain blackcaptain blackdjarum blackmarlboro double fusiondjarum blackmarlboro double fusionfree shop sigarafree shop alkolduty free shopdavidoff gold slenderdjarum black vişnedjarum black satın alkent switchmentollü sigaramarlboro touch bluemarlboro touchCaptain Black BlueKENT D-RANGE BLUEDavidoff SigaraWinston Dark BlueMarlboro Touch GrayKent SwitchCavallo By Vasily Vinteroff MentollüPall Mall Switch MentollüRothmans SigaraWinston Classic Red SigaraWinston SlenderKent MixMarvel Compact Party MixDuty Free ShopDjarum VanilyaMarlboro Touch AquaKent SwitchMarlboro TouchParliament Aqua BlueParliament Night BlueMarlboro ShuffleLucky Strike Mix 4 AromalıMarlboro Gold TouchMarlboro Double FusionDjarum BlackCaptain Black Sigarafree shop sigarafree shopkent d range bluefree shop alkolfree shopkent switchmarlboro touchfree shop sigaracaptain blackdjarum blackmarlboro double fusionWinston Light SigaraDjarum VanillaKent MentollüMarlboro Touchcaptain blackMarlboro Double FusionParliament Night BlueMarlboro Shuffledjarum black satın alMarlboro Double Fusion Summer KarpuzDuty Free ShopMarlboro Double MixMarlboro Touch AquaLucky Strike Mixparliament night bluemarlboro shufflemuratti sigaramarlboro touch aquaCaptain Black Dark Cremakent mentollüMarlboro Double Fusion Summer Karpuzcamel sigaraWinston Dark Bluecamel brownLucky Strike Double ClickKENT D-RANGE BLUEWinston Slendermarlboro double fusionkent mentollüDjarum BlackRothmans SigaraKent Mix böğürtlenliMarlboro Double Fusionkent slimkent switchCaptain Black BlueWinston Light Sigaraesse blackcaptain black satın alMarvel Compact Party MixMilano EjectVosue Frissondjarum black karanfilMarvel Pipersfree shopAlcapone SigaraOlmeca TekilaAbsnithe Yeşil PeriMarlboro Double FusionMarlboro Shuffledjarum blackMarlboro RED KırmızıAmarula LikörMarlboro Double BurstWinston Classic RedKent MentollüGENTLEMAN JACKMarlboro Double Fusion SummerKent MentollüParliament Night BlueLucky Strike MixCaptain Black SigaraWinston Lightcaptain blackChivas RegalParliament Aqua BlueKent NanoMarlboro Touch AquaDjarum VanillaDavidoff Gold SlenderJack Daniels Tennessee Honeyfree shopTekirdağ Rakı Çeşitleriolmeca tekilaMarlboro Double FusionBailleys LikörOme Super Slim MentollüEsse BlackMarlboro ShuffleBecherovkakent d range blueCaptain Black BlueParliament Night BlueWinston Dark BlueMarlboro Touch GrayKent SwitchDjarum BlackHarvest OriginalWinston SlenderVosue FrissonTekel 2001Davidoff SigaraRothmans SigaraMarlboro Double Fusion Summer KarpuzKent Switchcaptain black sigaraDjarum BlackCaptain Black Dark CremaMarlboro Double Fusionfree shop sigaraCaptain Black Darm CremaMarlboro Double FusionKent NanoLucky Strike MixParliament Aqua BlueCaptain Black Dark CremaMarlboro REDCaptain BlackMarlboro Double FusionMarlboro TouchKent Switch Ucuz SigaraMarlboro Touch GrayMonte Cristo HabanaMarlboro ShuffleParliament Night BlueDuty Free ShopWinston LightHeets ÇeşitleriMarvel Pipersfree shop puroDjarum Black satın alMeharisBackwoods Islak PuroDjarum BlackCamel WhiteMini MoodsMarlboro Double Fusion Summer KarpuzToscanello PuroCaptain Black BlueLucky Strike Double ClickWinston Dark BlueKENT D-RANGE BLUEWinston SlenderVİCEROY SigaraEsse BlackMarlboro Touch AquaMarlboro İce Bluekent switchDavidoff Gold Slenderfree shop alkolCaptain Black Darm CremaKent Switch Ucuz SigaraMarlboro Double Fusionfree shop sigarafree shop puroDjarum BlackKent NanoKent Switch MentollüMarlboro Gold TouchLucky Strike MixMuratti SigaraKent MentollüParliament Night BlueMarlboro GoldMarlboro TouchMarlboro RED KırmızıMarlboro ShuffleMarlboro Double BurstParliament Aqua BlueMarlboro Touch AquaDjarum BlackCaptain BlackHEETScaptain blackCaptain Black BlueCamel WhiteMilano EjectTekel 2001Marlboro İce BlueMarvel Compact Party MixKent SwitchKENT D RANGE BLUELucky Strike Double ClickKent Mix Aroma SigaraWinston SlenderRothmans SigaraWinston Dark BlueDjarum VanillaDavidoff SigaraKent SlimMarlboro Double FusionCavallo By Vasily Vinteroff MentollüColts Red Deluxe VişneMarlboro Touch GrayMarlboro Double Fusion Summer Karpuzvdcasino girisKent MentollüDjarum Vanillasupertotobet girisBackwoods Islak PuroDavidoff Gold SlenderKENT D RANGE BLUEMarlboro Touch AquaMarlboro Double MixMonte Cristo Habanafree shop sigaraMilano Ejectfree shop alkolToscanello PuroVİCEROY SigaraMarlboro Double Fusiontipobet365 girisdjarum blackmarlboro double fusionmarlboro double fusionbets10 girisredwin girisbetist girisMarlboro TouchEsse Blackcavallo sigaracavallo sigaraDjarum Blackmarlboro shufflecaptain blackmobilbahis girisCaptain Black Bluebetboo girisCamel Whitebahsegel girisMarlboro GoldTekel 2001Marlboro Double FusionMarlboro ShuffleMilano EjectWinston Dark Bluecaptain black sigarafree shop purofree shop sigaraCavallo By Vasily Vinteroff Mentollücaptain black sigaraKENT D RANGE BLUETekirdağ Rakı ÇeşitleriOlmeca TekilaMarlboro Double Fusion Summer KarpuzLucky Strike Double ClickKent SlimMarlboro Touch GrayDavidoff SigaraRothmans SigaraDavidoff Gold SlenderKent SwitchDjarum Black Karanfil ve Cherry VişneMarlboro Double FusionROTMANS SigaraJack Daniels Tennessee HoneyAmarula LikörChivas Regal Viskifree shop puroGENTLEMAN JACKAbsnithe Yeşil PeriMarlboro Gold TouchLucky Strike MixMarlboro TouchDjarum BlackDjarum VanillaParliament Aqua BlueMarlboro Double Fusion Summer KarpuzCaptain Black Dark CremaKent MentollüMarlboro Touch Aquafree shopMarlboro Double FusionEsse BlackMarlboro Touch GrayDuty Free ShopKent Mix Aroma SigaraWinston SlenderCamel WhiteWinston Dark BlueCamel BrownKent SwitchRothmans SigaraPall Mall Switch MentollüDuty Free ShopMarlboro RED KırmızıParliament Aqua BlueCaptain Black sigaraParliament Night BlueKent SwitchPall Mall Switch MentollüWinston Classic RedWinston SlenderKent NanoKent SwitchWinston LightMarvel Compact Party MixKent Mix Aroma SigaraColts Red Deluxe Vişne SigaraKent Mentollü ÜrünlerimizMarlboro Gold TouchDjarum BlackLucky Strike MixCaptain Black Darm CremaMini MoodsMore Sigara KırmızıDavidoff Sigaracaptain black sigaramarlboro shufflemarmaris escortmini shellcgi telnetAn0n 3xPloiTeRBase 64 EncodeIndoSec Shellmarlboro touch aquacaptain black purohacklink satışmarlboro ice blueVhosts Bypass shellwebadmin.php shellk2ll33d shellhtml kod şifrelememilano sigaracaptain black sigara fiyatcaptain blackcialisparliament night bluemarvel sigaraMadspot shellwso shellr57 shellhostagor bypass shellsecure server bypass shellwso shellr57 shellc99 shellwso shellhacklinkmarlboro touch bluecaptain blackwinston sigaramarlboro double fusionSobranie sigaradjarum blackParliament sigaraMarlboro shuffleDunhill SigaraSenator sigaraEsse Sigara520 Kalpli SigaraKent SigaraHarvest sigaraMarlboro Double Fusion Summer KarpuzDavidoff SigaraMarvel sigaraCavallo SigaraMarlboro Edge SlimColts SigaraLucky StrikeMarlboro Goldmarlboro redmarlboro touchmarlboro touch grimarlboro touch aquaCaptain Black Switch520 SigaraDavidoff Magnum ClassicDjarum Black Menthol SigaraCavallo Sync MentollüDunhill Red SigaraWinston Slender BlueKent Switch Slenderharvest sigaraal capone sigaraparliament reservemarlboro redcaptain black classiccaptain black mentholviceroy sigaracaptain black vişnesenator pipe sigaraWinston Shiny Mixome sigararothmans sigaraviceroy sigaratekel 2001camel sigaraucuz sigarakent switch fiyatfree shopmarlboro double fusiondjarum blackcaptain blackcaptain black sigarawinston dark blue fiyatKent Mix Aroma Sigara Mentol ve Böğürtlenparliament night blueMarlboro Touch GrayKent SwitchWinston SlenderCamel Whitekent switchMarlboro Touch Aquamarlboro shuffleParliament Aqua BlueMarlboro TouchKENT D RANGE BLUEAbsinthementollü sigaraLucky strikefree shop sigarafree shop alkolkalpli sigarakalpli sigaravotka fiyatlarıharvest sigaramarvel sigarakent d range bluedunhill sigarakent slim blackwso shelljojobet giriş