Thomas Bentley
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's partner was made as the pair to one of Wedgwood himself (museum no. 454-1890). 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
Thomas Bentley (1730-1780) was a Liverpool merchant. He was Wedgwood's close friend from 1762 and four years later became his partner in the manufacture of ornamental pottery. Bentley's cultivation, taste, contacts and diplomacy were of vital importance for the partnership's success. Wedgwood's adoption of classical forms and prototypes during the 1760s and 1770s was probably largely due to Bentley's influence. Most of Wedgwood's greatest technical achievements, and his greatest successes as an entrepreneur, were made during the years of his friendship with Bentley.
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's partner was made as the pair to one of Wedgwood himself (museum no. 454-1890). 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
Thomas Bentley (1730-1780) was a Liverpool merchant. He was Wedgwood's close friend from 1762 and four years later became his partner in the manufacture of ornamental pottery. Bentley's cultivation, taste, contacts and diplomacy were of vital importance for the partnership's success. Wedgwood's adoption of classical forms and prototypes during the 1760s and 1770s was probably largely due to Bentley's influence. Most of Wedgwood's greatest technical achievements, and his greatest successes as an entrepreneur, were made during the years of his friendship with Bentley.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Thomas Bentley (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Stoneware |
| Brief description | Portrait medallion of Thomas Bentley, white and black stoneware. English, made by Wedgwood, 19th century. |
| Physical description | Portrait medallion of Thomas Bentley, white and black stoneware. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | 'Wedgwood' |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
Much of Wedgwood's success was due to his friendship with Thomas Bentley, his business partner between 1768 and 1780. Bentley influenced Wedgwood's adoption of Neo-classical design and advised him on new products and materials. He promoted their wares to wealthy patrons, persuading them to lend their antiquities for Wedgwood to copy.(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's partner was made as the pair to one of Wedgwood himself (museum no. 454-1890). 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 Thomas Bentley (1730-1780) was a Liverpool merchant. He was Wedgwood's close friend from 1762 and four years later became his partner in the manufacture of ornamental pottery. Bentley's cultivation, taste, contacts and diplomacy were of vital importance for the partnership's success. Wedgwood's adoption of classical forms and prototypes during the 1760s and 1770s was probably largely due to Bentley's influence. Most of Wedgwood's greatest technical achievements, and his greatest successes as an entrepreneur, were made during the years of his friendship with Bentley. |
| Associated object | |
| Bibliographic reference | Hildyard, Robin. European Ceramics. London : V&A Publications, 1999. 144 p., ill. ISBN 185177260X |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 453-1890 |
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| Record created | December 2, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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