Sir William Hamilton
Medallion
1780-1800 (made), ca. 1773 (designed)
1780-1800 (made), ca. 1773 (designed)
| 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
Wedgwood's medallions of 'Modern Subjects' were probably hung on the wall, in wood or brass frames, to display the political and cultural allegiances of the household. Sets of portrait medallions were also kept in cabinets. Wedgwood's letters indicate that his 'Modern Subjects' sold best when their subjects were most topical.
People
Between 1764 and 1800 Sir William Hamilton, the subject of this medallion, was ambassador to the court of Naples. Here he took a close interest in the archaeological excavations at Herculaneum and Pompeii and formed a vast collection of Greek and Roman vases. The publication of his collection, starting in 1766, was a landmark in the development of the Neo-classical style. In 1772 the collection was bought by the British Museum. It was the most important design source for Wedgwood's vases.
Materials & Making
The medallion is made of Jasper, a fine-grained stoneware that Wedgwood developed as a material for manufacturing medallions and gems. It was one of a range of new materials that he introduced to meet changes in taste. The portrait relief was made in a mould taken from a wax model. The details on the relief were probably sharpened up before firing with wooden or metal tools.
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
Wedgwood's medallions of 'Modern Subjects' were probably hung on the wall, in wood or brass frames, to display the political and cultural allegiances of the household. Sets of portrait medallions were also kept in cabinets. Wedgwood's letters indicate that his 'Modern Subjects' sold best when their subjects were most topical.
People
Between 1764 and 1800 Sir William Hamilton, the subject of this medallion, was ambassador to the court of Naples. Here he took a close interest in the archaeological excavations at Herculaneum and Pompeii and formed a vast collection of Greek and Roman vases. The publication of his collection, starting in 1766, was a landmark in the development of the Neo-classical style. In 1772 the collection was bought by the British Museum. It was the most important design source for Wedgwood's vases.
Materials & Making
The medallion is made of Jasper, a fine-grained stoneware that Wedgwood developed as a material for manufacturing medallions and gems. It was one of a range of new materials that he introduced to meet changes in taste. The portrait relief was made in a mould taken from a wax model. The details on the relief were probably sharpened up before firing with wooden or metal tools.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Sir William Hamilton (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Jasper with blue dip and applied white relief |
| Brief description | Portrait medallion of Sir William Hamilton |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Object history | Made at Josiah Wedgwood's factory, Etruria, Staffordshire; adapted from an original modelled in wax in 1772 by Joachim Smith (born, about 1737, died in 1814) |
| Production | First issued about 1773; this example 1780-1800 |
| 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 Wedgwood's medallions of 'Modern Subjects' were probably hung on the wall, in wood or brass frames, to display the political and cultural allegiances of the household. Sets of portrait medallions were also kept in cabinets. Wedgwood's letters indicate that his 'Modern Subjects' sold best when their subjects were most topical. People Between 1764 and 1800 Sir William Hamilton, the subject of this medallion, was ambassador to the court of Naples. Here he took a close interest in the archaeological excavations at Herculaneum and Pompeii and formed a vast collection of Greek and Roman vases. The publication of his collection, starting in 1766, was a landmark in the development of the Neo-classical style. In 1772 the collection was bought by the British Museum. It was the most important design source for Wedgwood's vases. Materials & Making The medallion is made of Jasper, a fine-grained stoneware that Wedgwood developed as a material for manufacturing medallions and gems. It was one of a range of new materials that he introduced to meet changes in taste. The portrait relief was made in a mould taken from a wax model. The details on the relief were probably sharpened up before firing with wooden or metal tools. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1489-1855 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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