Museum number
C371.22
Object
Plaquette: Marcus Aurelius and Faustina, jasperware, Wedgwood Ceramic Factory, about 1779
Description
Oval white jasper ware plaque or cameo with male and female heads in profile to right, representing Marcus Aurelius and Faustina, withing raised border and impressed numbers 1266
Materials
Jasperware
Inscription
Front of border impressed 1266, referring to Wedgwood and Bentley Catalogue, 1779, Section 1, Cameos, Roman History,
On display?
Yes

Further description

Simple name
Cameo
Subject
Historical
Dimensions
framed: 3.6700cm (h) x 3.3000cm (w)
Plaquettes Wedgwood Ceramic Factory Jasperware, about 1775–1800 Jasperware, a type of stoneware that can be made in many different colours, is perhaps Josiah Wedgwood’s most famous, and enduring, creation. The delicate reliefs on these jasperware plaquettes were made in moulds and set on backgrounds of contrasting colours. The same plaquette could be made using different combinations of colours. Mounted in gold or cut steel, these tiny sculpted pictures or ‘plaquettes’ were used to decorate buttons, buckles, watchbacks, jewellery, snuff boxes and toothpick cases. The larger plaques were framed and hung on walls or were mounted on furniture and chimneypieces. Subjects ranged from classical mythology and history to contemporary portraits. Josiah Wedgwood commissioned many leading artists to create his designs. They included a group of aristocratic women artists, Lady Diana Beauclerk, Emma Crewe and Elizabeth Templetown.

Please help us improve our records. Let us know if there are any errors by writing to curators@holburne.org