Plaque 1780 - 1795

This plaque was made by Josiah Wedgwood and Sons. Observe the women depicted in white relief against the blue background, each figure carries symbolic weight. The woman holding a branch is the most striking, her gesture alludes to a long lineage of peace and reconciliation. The motif of a figure holding a branch appears in antiquity, often associated with the concept of peace and victory. It recurs in Roman art, signifying triumph and concord. Later, Christian art adopts this symbol with martyrs holding palm branches symbolizing their spiritual victory. The motif shifts in meaning, from imperial dominance to religious salvation, its emotional power remains—the aspiration for harmony, whether earthly or divine. This yearning is deeply embedded in our collective memory, revealing how the visual language of symbols transcends time, continually evolving and resurfacing to capture humanity's timeless desires.