Betty moses artist biography

This post is by guest blogger Mélissa Evans, a recent graduate of the V&A/RCA History of Design MA course. The following object study draws on research from her dissertation and marks the 250th anniversary of Betty Ratcliffe’s pagoda at Erddig Hall:

Imagine the year is 1767.

Betty Ratcliffe has just completed her pagoda model.[i] It is a fascinating object because of the maker’s identity. Contemporaries would have assumed that it was made by a skilled craftsman or a wealthy lady of leisure. Betty, however, was a lady’s maid for the landowner and titled family, the Yorkes.[ii] Artisanal skills were not necessary training for Betty to progress in her career, nor would they have been part of her daily duties.

Betty, as a female servant, was unique as she did not fit contemporary categories of craftsmanship.

Grandma moses artist

So, who commissioned the model from Betty? How was the object made – and why?

The pagoda was destined for display, as the glass case and stand reveal. Betty’s father,