Sprite or Zephyr
Trial Medallion
ca. 1780-90 (made)
ca. 1780-90 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
The medallion is an experimental one. Wedgwood or his craftsman has used with the technique of lapidary polishing on the blue Jasper ground. This technique is usually seen on gems and hardstones.
Use
Josiah Wedgwood made these medallions in a range of sizes. According to his printed sale catalogue of 1779, the ones of this size were especially suitable 'for inlaying in fine Cabinets, Writing-Tables, Bookcases [etc] of which they form the most beautiful enrichment at moderate Expence.' They were also mounted on wooden and ivory tea canisters, on small boxes for snuff, patches, toothpicks and cards, and were incorporated into cut-steel brooches, bracelets and other jewellery.
Trading
The medallions were sold through Wedgwood's catalogues, through export agents in continental Europe, and direct to British manufacturers.
People
This medallion is one of a group once owned by Ralph Vaughan Williams, the composer, who was a descendent of Josiah Wedgwood.
The medallion is an experimental one. Wedgwood or his craftsman has used with the technique of lapidary polishing on the blue Jasper ground. This technique is usually seen on gems and hardstones.
Use
Josiah Wedgwood made these medallions in a range of sizes. According to his printed sale catalogue of 1779, the ones of this size were especially suitable 'for inlaying in fine Cabinets, Writing-Tables, Bookcases [etc] of which they form the most beautiful enrichment at moderate Expence.' They were also mounted on wooden and ivory tea canisters, on small boxes for snuff, patches, toothpicks and cards, and were incorporated into cut-steel brooches, bracelets and other jewellery.
Trading
The medallions were sold through Wedgwood's catalogues, through export agents in continental Europe, and direct to British manufacturers.
People
This medallion is one of a group once owned by Ralph Vaughan Williams, the composer, who was a descendent of Josiah Wedgwood.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Sprite or Zephyr |
| Materials and techniques | Blue dip Jasper medallion with applied moulded figure in white Jasper; parts of the ground have been lapidary polished |
| Brief description | Medallion of a sprite or zephyr, probably after a design by Thomas Stothard, blue Jasper with white relief and experimental lapidary polishing on the ground, Josiah Wedgwood, Etruria, Staffordshire, probably 1780s. |
| Physical description | Oval blue Jasper medallion with figure of a sprite or zephyr in low relief in white Jasper |
| Dimensions | Height largest approx 5 Smallest approx 2 Width largest approx 4 Smallest approx 1.5 |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
Here, on a blue Jasper medallion, Wedgwood has experimented with the gemstone worker's method of polishing on the ground. This technique was not used on commercial productions. The medallion is one of a large number of experimental pieces by Wedgwood that survive.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs Ursula Vaughan Williams |
| Object history | Formerly Loan: V.Williams.4. Made at Josiah Wedgwood's factory, Etruria, Staffordshire Provenance: by descent through the Wedgwood, Darwin and Vaughan Williams families. |
| Production | Josiah Wedgwood (manufacturer), probably after a design by Thomas Stothard |
| Summary | Object Type The medallion is an experimental one. Wedgwood or his craftsman has used with the technique of lapidary polishing on the blue Jasper ground. This technique is usually seen on gems and hardstones. Use Josiah Wedgwood made these medallions in a range of sizes. According to his printed sale catalogue of 1779, the ones of this size were especially suitable 'for inlaying in fine Cabinets, Writing-Tables, Bookcases [etc] of which they form the most beautiful enrichment at moderate Expence.' They were also mounted on wooden and ivory tea canisters, on small boxes for snuff, patches, toothpicks and cards, and were incorporated into cut-steel brooches, bracelets and other jewellery. Trading The medallions were sold through Wedgwood's catalogues, through export agents in continental Europe, and direct to British manufacturers. People This medallion is one of a group once owned by Ralph Vaughan Williams, the composer, who was a descendent of Josiah Wedgwood. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.85-1999 |
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| Record created | January 27, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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