Exploring Technological Change Through Ceramics at the V&A

Students on the Thematic module Technological Change in Global Economic History visited the Ceramics Gallery at the Victoria and Albert Museum last week, accompanied by Dr Alka Raman. The trip provided an opportunity to engage directly with material culture, helping to bring key themes from the module to life.

During the visit, students examined a range of ceramic objects up close, tracing their development across different periods and regions. From the origins of porcelain production in China to its adaptation and imitation in the Middle East and Europe, they explored a variety of materials and techniques, including faience, fritware, delftware, creamware, bone china, ironstone and jasperware.

The session highlighted how technological innovation shaped changes in production, trade and consumption. By analysing the physical properties and craftsmanship of these objects, students gained a deeper understanding of how technological change has driven economic growth on a global scale.

The visit also sparked lively discussion, as students reflected on the relationship between innovation and material outcomes. Overall, the experience demonstrated the value of object-based learning, showing how engaging directly with historical objects can make processes of technological change more tangible and easier to understand.