Medallion — Posidonius', Etruria, 1775-1780
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1775-1780
Medallion in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number WE.7901-2014), made in Etruria, dated 1775-1780. The museum's brief description reads: Medallion, 'Posidonius', jasperware in ormolu frame, Josiah Wedgwood and Sons, Etruria, 1775-80.
Museum description: Medallion, blue jasperware in ormolu frame; oval blue jasperware with white applied relief depicting head and shoulders of Posidonius, facing forward, mounted in oval ormolu frame with scrolled and floral embellishments. The museum records it as Jasperware, ormolu, applied relief, measuring Height 89 mm; Width 59 mm. These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
This medallion is made from Jasperware, a high-fired stoneware, was invented by Josiah Wedgwood in the 1770s. It took his thousands of experiments over several years to perfect the material, which was versatile and could be coloured, cut and polished to great effect on his products. It could be coloured with a range of mineral oxide stains. The frame was made by Matthew Boulton (1728-1809), a contemporary of Josiah Wedgwood, and they were both members of the Lunar Society. Boulton produced mounts for Wedgwood products, notably jasperware, decorated by means of cut steel or made of ormolu.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- jasperware, ormolu
- Dimensions
- Height 89 mm; Width 59 mm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Jasperware, ormolu, applied relief
- Place recorded
- Etruria
Design
- Inscriptions recorded
- POSIDIPPUS / 39 / Wedgwood & Bentley' (impressed)
Identification
- Museum object name
- Medallion
- Museum object number
- WE.7901-2014
- Museum system number
- O1790082
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and catalogue references against a specialist reference.