Button c. late 18th century

Curator: This small ceramic button, dating from the late 18th century, comes to us from the Wedgwood Manufactory. It presents a scene in white relief against a blue background. Editor: There's something so compelling about the contrast. The serene blue evokes classical tranquility, almost like gazing at the sky. Yet, there's a dynamic scene unfolding in crisp white—a warrior, perhaps? It is small but holds an aura of power. Curator: Indeed. The scene depicts a figure on horseback, part of a broader aesthetic movement known as Neoclassicism. It sought inspiration from the art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. Remember, Wedgwood catered to the elite classes, keen on expressing refined tastes and subscribing to fashionable expressions. The scene, though miniature, speaks to martial virtues so prized at the time, playing directly into that public role art assumed. Editor: I am drawn to how this piece uses iconography to communicate prestige. The mounted figure, a frequent symbol of authority and triumph in visual culture, would instantly resonate with certain societal values. The careful execution, with a landscape in miniature, must also evoke aspiration. You can imagine someone wearing this with considerable pride and its symbolism going largely unnoticed today! Curator: The production methods speak volumes, too. Wedgwood developed a distinct method for creating these cameos. They achieved this striking contrast of colours through skillful ceramic processes. It served as not just decoration but as a signifier of innovation, a source of soft power in British manufacturing that would extend far into global markets. Editor: It is intriguing how even small, decorative items like this button could communicate complex ideas about identity, power, and history. It suggests our belongings contain more memories, hopes, and cultural statements than we sometimes believe. Curator: Precisely. Looking back, pieces like this give such clear markers of the complex politics in play during what we call a golden era. Editor: Ultimately, this button feels both intimate and grand. Small enough to be held, but big enough to remind us of vast histories and potent cultural symbols.