item details
NameMedallion
ProductionJosiah Wedgwood and Sons Ltd; maker/artist; circa 1787; England
Classificationpendants, jewellery
Materialsceramic, silver
Materials Summarywhite jasper with black basalt relief, mounted in gilt silver
DimensionsOverall: 36mm (width), 41mm (height), 10mm (depth)
Registration NumberGH002423
Credit lineGift of Marjorie K. Mestayer, 1965
Overview
Powerful pottery
A chained slave asks ‘Am I not a man and a brother?’ in this Wedgwood medallion. Few people would associate the pottery firm with anti-slavery, but its founder, Josiah Wedgwood, played a significant role in the campaign. He mass-produced and distributed this medallion at his own expense. The image became a widely reproduced emblem, worn by thousands.