Regionalism and authenticity in a globalized world: the case of English Ceramics.

In the last chapter of Frances Hannah’s Ceramics: Twentieth Century Design of 1986, the possible future of English ceramics was briefly discussed. It was predicted how there would be a continued growth of multi-nationalism, the utilization of world-wide cheap labour, and a declining tendency to manufacture surface-designs to suit national tastes and different markets. These observations have much in common with what is related to the characteristics of globalization. In a context of a surge world-wide competition and factory closures, the focus of this seminar is how the English ceramic industry (centred around the Staffordshire Potteries) has responded to globalization. The surprise, perhaps, is how there has not been a complete collapse, or disappearance of the ceramic industry. As evidenced by marketing strategy and design, a renewed interest in regionalism and issues of authenticity have also become some of the qualities of contemporary ceramics. In short, the actual consequences of globalization remain complex and diverse