Button c. late 18th century

This button was made by the Wedgwood Manufactory out of Jasperware, a type of stoneware, and is an example of their late 18th-century production. Wedgwood developed Jasperware, which could be stained in different colors, to imitate ancient cameos. The blue background and white relief figures give this button a classical, refined look, while the scalloped silver edging adds to the design. The button’s design, depicting figures in a Neoclassical style, reflects the fashion of the time, but it was the division of labor that truly set Wedgwood apart. Josiah Wedgwood implemented factory production, so he could make beautiful objects like this one, efficiently, and at a low cost. The button represents the shifting landscape of labor, politics, and consumption, becoming increasingly accessible for a wider audience, rather than exclusive to the elite. This speaks to Wedgwood’s genius, blurring the lines between art, craft, and industrial production.