Josiah Wedgwood
Plaque
19th century (made)
19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Portrait medallions had long been made in metal, and were popular in wax and ivory in mid-18th century England. Wedgwood, however, was the first person to manufacture them in stoneware on a commercial scale.
Use
This medallion of Wedgwood himself was made as the pair to one of his partner Thomas Bentley (museum no. 453-1890). They were made for personal reasons and were probably not intended to be reproduced commercially. The earliest of these medallions were probably given to close friends of the two partners. Later, after the firm had become famous, others were made using the original moulds. They were probably hung on walls in wood or brass frames or stored in cabinets.
People
Josiah Wedgwood (1730-1795) was one of the most remarkable entrepreneurs and innovators of the 18th century. The foundation of his commercial empire, and of his great reputation as a potter and businessman, was the several ceramic materials and decorative treatments he developed or perfected. The most important of these were Black Basalt, Jasper and 'Queen's Ware.' Prompted by Thomas Bentley, he was swift to exploit the new Neo-classical style, introducing new ceramic materials and products in order to satisfy this shift in taste. His factory at Etruria became one of the industrial marvels of the day.
Portrait medallions had long been made in metal, and were popular in wax and ivory in mid-18th century England. Wedgwood, however, was the first person to manufacture them in stoneware on a commercial scale.
Use
This medallion of Wedgwood himself was made as the pair to one of his partner Thomas Bentley (museum no. 453-1890). They were made for personal reasons and were probably not intended to be reproduced commercially. The earliest of these medallions were probably given to close friends of the two partners. Later, after the firm had become famous, others were made using the original moulds. They were probably hung on walls in wood or brass frames or stored in cabinets.
People
Josiah Wedgwood (1730-1795) was one of the most remarkable entrepreneurs and innovators of the 18th century. The foundation of his commercial empire, and of his great reputation as a potter and businessman, was the several ceramic materials and decorative treatments he developed or perfected. The most important of these were Black Basalt, Jasper and 'Queen's Ware.' Prompted by Thomas Bentley, he was swift to exploit the new Neo-classical style, introducing new ceramic materials and products in order to satisfy this shift in taste. His factory at Etruria became one of the industrial marvels of the day.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Josiah Wedgwood (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Stoneware |
| Brief description | Portrait medallion of Josiah Wedgwood, white and black stoneware. English, made by Wedgwood, 19th century. |
| Physical description | Portrait medallion of Josiah Wedgwood, white and black stoneware. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | 'Wedgwood' |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
Wedgwood manufactured a number of portraits for private and personal reasons rather than as commercial productions. Joachim Smith, the modeller, was an accomplished artist, but Wedgwood dismissed him because of his contacts with the rival porcelain factory at Derby.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | The Jodrell Collection |
| Object history | Made at Josiah Wedgwood's factory, Etruria, Staffordshire; modelled by Joachim Smith (born about 1737, died in 1814). The Collection was the bequest of Mrs. Amelia Vertue Jodrell, who asked in her will for the credit line to read 'The Jodrell Collection'. |
| Summary | Object Type Portrait medallions had long been made in metal, and were popular in wax and ivory in mid-18th century England. Wedgwood, however, was the first person to manufacture them in stoneware on a commercial scale. Use This medallion of Wedgwood himself was made as the pair to one of his partner Thomas Bentley (museum no. 453-1890). They were made for personal reasons and were probably not intended to be reproduced commercially. The earliest of these medallions were probably given to close friends of the two partners. Later, after the firm had become famous, others were made using the original moulds. They were probably hung on walls in wood or brass frames or stored in cabinets. People Josiah Wedgwood (1730-1795) was one of the most remarkable entrepreneurs and innovators of the 18th century. The foundation of his commercial empire, and of his great reputation as a potter and businessman, was the several ceramic materials and decorative treatments he developed or perfected. The most important of these were Black Basalt, Jasper and 'Queen's Ware.' Prompted by Thomas Bentley, he was swift to exploit the new Neo-classical style, introducing new ceramic materials and products in order to satisfy this shift in taste. His factory at Etruria became one of the industrial marvels of the day. |
| Associated object | |
| Bibliographic reference | Hildyard, Robin. European Ceramics. London : V&A Publications, 1999. 144 p., ill. ISBN 185177260X |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 454-1890 |
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| Record created | December 2, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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