Cameo with Sacrifice of a Lamb c. late 18th century

This small cameo depicting a sacrifice of a lamb was created by the Wedgwood Manufactory. Though undated, it speaks to the 18th and 19th century obsession with the aesthetics and themes of antiquity. During this period, ancient Greco-Roman culture was idealized, influencing art, architecture, and fashion. This cameo is a product of that cultural phenomenon, known as Neoclassicism, and it reflects a renewed interest in classical subjects. The choice of the sacrifice of a lamb as a subject might be seen as a commentary on social structures where ritual and religion were enmeshed with political power. Such scenes often conveyed messages about piety, civic duty, and hierarchical social orders. The whiteness of the figures against the blue background is a deliberate aesthetic choice, meant to imitate the look of ancient cameos made from precious stones. What does it mean to evoke these ancient stories of power and sacrifice, through a medium that itself signifies wealth and status?