Cameo c. late 18th century

This cameo was produced by the Wedgwood Manufactory, using their signature jasperware - a type of unglazed stoneware, noted for its matte surface. The whiteness of the material lends a neoclassical feel, as do the finely rendered figural details in relief. But consider, this cameo wasn't carved by hand, like those of the ancient world. Instead, it was produced by a division of labor, using molds and industrial processes. Josiah Wedgwood, the factory's founder, was a master of marketing. He understood how to create the allure of luxury, while efficiently producing objects in large quantities. This made Wedgwood cameos accessible to a broad clientele, effectively democratizing a once exclusive art form. So, while this piece may evoke the refined world of the antique, it also speaks volumes about the rise of manufacturing and consumer culture. It challenges us to rethink the boundaries between art, craft, and industry.