Medallion 18th century

Curator: Here we have an 18th-century ceramic medallion crafted by Josiah Wedgwood. Editor: Striking! It’s almost monochromatic; the subtle relief against the dark ground gives it an austere feel. It appears stoic. Curator: Precisely. Wedgwood was masterful at elevating ceramic production, often blurring the lines between craft and fine art. He employed sophisticated manufacturing processes and specialized labor to achieve this. This relief showcases his celebrated Jasperware—unglazed stoneware dyed with metallic oxides to achieve that characteristic color. Editor: Knowing that shifts my perspective. The Neoclassical style points to a fascination with antiquity, and Wedgwood directly profited from British imperialism. His factory mass-produced cameos featuring enslaved people, for instance, promoting an abolitionist agenda while exploiting labor for raw materials. Curator: Good point. Wedgwood indeed revolutionized production; this medallion embodies a pivotal moment in industrial history, where materials and the labor that shaped them became essential aspects of artistic creation and its consumption. Editor: This medallion, though seemingly a simple portrait, is complex when considering its intersectional narrative. We should consider the economic forces behind artistic endeavors in this period. Who was PtoLALA and what message did Wedgwood aim to convey? Who commissioned this? Curator: Agreed. It's essential to consider the conditions of production and reception, something Wedgwood shrewdly managed himself. Editor: It’s a testament to how even seemingly simple art objects reflect greater social structures and material processes. We should keep questioning the origin, medium, and social meaning of decorative arts, rather than casually placing this on display. Curator: Looking closely at it reveals much about the material culture and economic imperatives of its time. Editor: It forces a broader awareness of both production and exploitation. The past should never be regarded passively.