Medallion 18th century

This 18th-century black basalt medallion, titled “Medallion,” is attributed to the English potter Josiah Wedgwood. The piece depicts a classical profile of a Roman emperor, likely a ruler like Augustus or Hadrian. Wedgwood was renowned for his innovative use of black basalt, a type of stoneware inspired by ancient Roman and Greek pottery, as seen in this relief, and for his masterful rendering of Classical figures. Wedgwood’s basalt wares were highly sought after for their elegance and historical significance.