Sydney Cove medallion - 1789
-
Sydney Cove medallion
© Wedgwood Museum
In 1788 the ‘First Fleet’ commanded by Captain Arthur Phillip settled the infant colony of Sydney Cove. In November clay was sent from the colony to Sir Joseph Banks who then passed the samples to Wedgwood for assessment. Josiah declared that ‘…the clay from Sydney Cove…is an excellent material for pottery ‘ and produced commemorative medallions impressed on the reverse ‘MADE BY JOSIAH WEDGWOOD OF CLAY FROM SYDNEY COVE’.
The ‘First Fleet’ carrying 850 convicts and 200 naval officers arrived in Sydney Cove, Australia on 26th January 1788. In November the commander, later first governor, Captain Arthur Phillip, sent samples of locally-sourced white clay to Sir Joseph Banks, President of the Royal Society. Banks in turn passed the clay samples to Josiah Wedgwood to assess its qualities. On 12th March 1790 Josiah wrote that - ‘…the clay from Sydney Cove…is an excellent material for pottery…’ He went on to say - ‘Of the species of ware which may be produced from it, you will have some idea from the medallions I have sent for your inspection.’ The bas relief represents Hope encouraging Art and Labour under the influence of Peace, and was modelled by William Hackwood after a design by Henry Webber. The original Sydney Cove medallions are impressed on the reverse with a special commemorative backstamp ‘MADE BY JOSIAH WEDGWOOD OF CLAY FROM SYDNEY COVE’ - this does not appear on later issues.
- Type of object: Plaques and medallions/portrait medallion
- Mark: ETRURIA 1789
- Year first produced: 1789
- Body: Caneware
- Material: Ceramic
- Decoration: Moulded
- Accession number: 11556
- Dimensions: 3 mm (height), 60 mm (diameter)
Related people
-
William Hackwood
Modeller
William Hackwood - Modeller
Josiah Wedgwood first took on Hackwood at the Wedgwood Etruria factory in 1769. Wedgwood described him as an 'ingenious boy' - he was ultimately destined to become the chief modeller of the ornamental range at the Etruria factory. His forté was the production and modelling of portrait medallions - and he was particularly indispensable in the work of adapting busts, reliefs and designs that Wedgwood obtained from various sources. Many of the 18th-century portrait medallions are by his hand and include portraits of Josiah Wedgwood I, George III and Queen Charlotte. A few signed works also exist - the portraits of Garrick and Shakespeare were signed on the truncation, or just under the shoulder. Wedgwood disproved of this practice and Hackwood was instructed not to repeat this. In 1774, Wedgwood wrote 'Hackwood is of the greatest value and consequence in finishing fine small work, and of this kind we have and shall have enough to employ him constantly'. Two years later he was further wishing that he had '....half a dozen more Hackwoods'. Hackwood continued working for Wedgwood at Etruria for 63 years and produced many bas reliefs and works that can be authenticated.
-
Henry Webber
Designer
Henry Webber - Designer
Sculptor, modeller to Wedgwood and head of the ornamental department at Etruria from 1785 to 1806. Henry Webber was the son of a Swiss sculptor, and a pupil of John Bacon, and was recommended to Josiah Wedgwood by Sir Joshua Reynolds. He arrived at Etruria in June 1782, and by January 1785 he had signed a seven year contract with the factory. In 1787 was sent to Rome - ‘….for the purpose of making Models Drawings and other improvements in the Arts of Modelling and Designing for the benefit of ….. Josiah Wedgwood.’ He was directly involved with the modelling of the bas-relief figures for the reproduction of the Portland Vase.
