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Period: to
Conference Section 9 Group 4
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'Kraak' bowl with armorial designs and inscription. The British Museum , Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province.
The Chinese mastered the art of using kaolin clay to create fine porcelain with low iron content. Although the purification and high firing process was known, it was not until the mid-17th century that it was widespread throughout China and the rest of the world. Around this time, potters in Europe, like Delftware, began experimenting in order to imitate this Chinese style and quality. This bowl was made in china but with a European commissioned design. -
"Leviathan or The Matter, Form and Power of a Commonwealth, Ecclesiastical and Civil"
Hobbes' work is an example of the popular view of the nature of government during the 17th century, and reflects the idea of the need of a social contract. In order to avoid the state of nature, in which man would be in a constant state of war, an absolute sovereign would be necessary. In this respect, Leviathan supports the monarchies in power during the time period. Hobbes, Thomas. "Leviathan: Or The Matter, Form, & Power of a Commonwealth, Ecclesiastical and Civil." London, 1651. -
Coffee Pot. Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
This coffee pot is an example of the newly invented jugs produced to accommodate the importation of tea, coffee and chocolate. This particular pot was a gift to the East India Trading Company. Coffee was introduced to Europe in the mid-17th century from Turkey. This pot imitates Turkish designs. It was quickly popularized after the opening of the first coffee house in Oxford in 1657. -
A Circle of Demons and Witches
The fear of witches in the 16th and 17th centuries led to the widespread persecutions of unwitting suspects across Europe. This source depicts female witches dancing in a circle with demons, with whom they were supposedly closely affiliated.
The superstition surrounding witchcraft represents the mysogyny and religious fervour prevalent in late medieval Europe. Illustration from Nathaniel Crouch, "The Kingdom of Darkness" (London, 1688) -
John Locke
Locke was an English political philosopher who, in his "Second Treatise of Government," expanded on his own social contract theory that outlined natural human rights. In contrast to Hobbes, Locke has a more peaceful view of the state of nature. He concludes that the only legitimate government is one with the support of the governed, reflecting the emerging Enlightenment ideas of the late 17th century. Portrait from King, Peter. "The Life of John Locke." London: H. Colburn and R. Bentley, 1830. -
Wedgwood. "Pair of Greek Revival Vases." The British Museum. Enlightenment Art. Stoke-on-Trent, 1730-1795.
During the mid-18th century enlightenment ideas lead to the revival of classical Greek concepts and artistic styles. These vases were produced by Josiah Wedgwood in England. Combining science, marketing and enlightenment ideas, he was one of the first to commercialise and industrialise the production of pottery. The Wedgwood family was progressive and embraced modern and industrial ideas; Josiah’s grandson was after all Charles Darwin. -
"Of The Social Contract, Or Principles of Political Right"
Rousseau offers another form of the social contract in which it is seen as foolish to give up one's freedom in favor of a so-called slavery, which would be a governing body. With this is mind, the only legitimate sovereign entity would be one which reflects the general will of the public that it governs. This idea supports the developing Enlightenment views. Portrait from Ducros, Louis. "J.J. Rousseau." Paris: H. Lecène Et H. Oudin, 1888. -
Wedgwood, Josiah. "Anti-Slavery Medallion." The British Museum . Enlightenment: Trade-Discovery. England, 1787.
Josiah Wedgwood strongly supported the abolition of slavery in England. He produced this medallion in 1787 with the image of a kneeling slave which reads “Am I not a man and a brother?” It copies the image of medallions produced by the Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. These medallions became fashionable and were even sent as far as America. Although the slave trade was abolished in Parliament in 1807, the British slaves were not emancipated until 1838. -
Excerpt from ‘The Bride of Corinth’
This extract from the 'Bride of Corinth' exemplifies the 18th century fear of undead family members returning from the grave as vampires to kill the living. In the poem, a young bride to be drains her fiancés blood and leaves him to die. Poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe written in Germany in 1797. Translated by William Edmondstoune Aytoun, and Theodore Martin in "Poems And Ballads Of Goethe", (508 Broadway, New York 1859). -
"On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation"
Written by economist David Ricardo, this book describes the conditions in Europe during the industrial revolution, with a focus on Britain. While examining economic effects such as the iron law of wages, Ricardo proposes the idea of comparative advantage, which would become a major element of modern economic thought. Ricardo, David. "On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation." London: John Murray, 1817. -
"Frankenstein"
Shelley's 'Frankenstein' is renowned for its political messages regarding the dangers of technology and science. In the book, Frankenstein volates natural barriers, and creates a monster that he can not control. This was Shelley's metaphor for the dangers of technology, as it began dominating European social spheres. Shelley's work embodied contemporary fears of the threat mechanisation posed to human labour. Shelley, M. "Frankenstein", (Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor & Jones, 1818) -
"The Communist Manifesto"
Written by Marx and Engels, the Communist Manifesto outlines the basic tenets of Marxian socialism and communism. With both industrialization and the power of the elites on the rise, Marx and Engels theorized that a class struggle was underway that would ultimately result in the rise of the proletariat followed by a seizure of the means of production. Image from Engels, Friedrich. "Please Find Enclosed the Communist Manifesto." London: 1883. -
Crapper, Thomas. "Thos. Crapper & Co. ." Thomas Crapper & Co. LTD. The History of Thomas Crapper. Chelsea, 1861.
Although the flushing toilet was invented in 1596, Thomas Crapper popularised it in the mid-19th century. Over the last couple of centuries the sewage and plumbing systems had been ameliorating. In addition, porcelain was more easily accessible in England and Europe. As a result, the flushing toilet became available to the working class. When American soldiers came to London and Paris in WW1 they discovered the wonders of the flushing toilet and brought the concept home with them. -
"Ett satans år" - Illustration of starvation in northern Sweden
This Swedish illustration is a depiction of a straving peasant family. The mother, uttely spent, collapses in her chair, whilst her haggard children grab at her clothes and body as if searching her for food. Europe was repeatedly struck by famine in the 19th century, and although starvation predominantly threathened the lower classes, it also threatened international trades and economies. This made it a very real fear in Europe. Published in the "Fäderneslande", an old Swedish newspaper. -
Worthing. "Crested China Tank." Imperial War Museum . Crested China. Stoke-on-Trent, 1916.
Before and during the First World War, cheap collectable porcelain souvenirs were produced by the millions in Stoke-on-Trent. They were often shaped like planes, ambulances, tanks and ships with a city’s coat of arms on them. This type of memorabilia shows a shift from practical china to purely decorative and collectable memorabilia. Politics and propaganda were also promoted in these types of mass produced items. -
"Bolshevik freedom"
This snti-communist poster published during the Polish-Russian war of 1919-21, portrays Leon Trotsky on a throne of skulls. Large caption: "Bolshevik freedom.". Small caption on the right-hand-side: The Bolsheviks promised: 'We'll give you peace, we'll give you freedom, we'll give you land, work and bread.' Despicably they cheated. They started a war with Poland: Instead of freedom, they brought the fist - Instead of of land, confiscation - Instead of work, misery - Instead of bread, famine.' -
Benito Mussolini
Fllowing his departure from the Italian Socialist Party, Mussolini began to advocate for far-right nationalistic policies that would eventually become fascism. This development marks a shift from the liberalizing views of the previous century and shows a return to the single-party, somewhat totalitarian states seen in Europe in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Portrait from Phillips, Percival. "The 'Red' Dragon and the Black Shirts; How Italy Found Her Soul." London: Carmelite House, 1922. -
“Red Army Soldier, Save Us”
This Soviet Propaganda depicts a defiant mother an child, faced with a bloody Nazi bayonet. The portrayal of the Nazis as murderers of women and children would have been designed to galvanise the Soviet people into action. The Soviet government needed to convert its people's fear of the Nazis into anger, in order to encourage conscriptions to the army, and domestic bravery. Soviet Propaganda Poster by Viktor Koretsky, published from 1942 - 1945
