Material Literacy in 18th-Century Britain: A Nation of Makers

The 18th century in Britain was a time of great change in consumer culture, with a focus on the material knowledge possessed by professional artisans, amateur makers, and skilled consumers. Material Literacy in Eighteenth-Century Britain explores the tactile and tacit knowledge that underpinned fashion, tailoring, and textile production, and documents the multiplicity of small producers behind Britains consumer revolution. It demonstrates how material knowledge formed an essential part of daily life for eighteenth-century Britons, and how craft technique, practice, and production constituted forms of tactile languages that joined makers together.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 08 September 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The 18th century has been celebrated for its transformative impact on consumer culture, elevating Britain to the status of a nation of makers. Material Literacy in Eighteenth-Century Britain sheds light on the diverse range of individuals who possessed material knowledge, including professional artisans, amateur makers, and skilled consumers. This comprehensive book brings together a team of interdisciplinary scholars from the fields of art history, history, literature, and museum studies to uncover the intricate and nuanced knowledge that underpinned fashion, tailoring, and textile production during this era. By delving into the workshops, drawing rooms, and backrooms of a wide array of creators, the book uncovers how production and manual knowledge extended beyond the factories and machines that dominate industrial histories.

This groundbreaking work illuminates the material literacies learned, enacted, and understood by British producers and consumers. It reveals that a significant portion of the British population, spanning men, women, and children, both professional and amateur, possessed the skills necessary for sewing, embroidering, and the textile arts. Building upon previous studies of shoppers and consumption in the 18th century, as well as narratives of manufacture, this collection documents the multitude of small producers who played a pivotal role in Britain's consumer revolution. It reshapes our understanding of the intricate dynamics between making, objects, consumption, and production, highlighting the essential role that material knowledge played in the daily lives of eighteenth-century Britons.

The contributors to this book demonstrate how craft technique, practice, and production formed forms of tactile languages that connected makers, regardless of whether they produced objects for profit or pleasure. They explore how these practices shaped social relationships, facilitated communication, and contributed to the development of a shared cultural identity. Through their meticulous research and insightful analysis, Material Literacy in Eighteenth-Century Britain offers a fresh perspective on the 18th century, challenging traditional narratives and revealing the rich tapestry of material culture that flourished in this period.

Weight: 766g
Dimension: 158 x 234 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350282414