Cameo with Portrait of Duke of Gloucester c. late 18th century

This cameo portrait of the Duke of Gloucester was made at the Wedgwood Manufactory. It's made of jasperware, a type of unglazed stoneware famous for its matte finish. Wedgwood perfected jasperware in the late 1700s. The white figure is set against a contrasting ground. Notice the sharp details of the Duke's profile. This was achieved by skilled modelers and mold-makers, whose work translated the original design into a repeatable format. The industrial revolution was underway, and Wedgwood was at the forefront of using division of labor to make luxury goods more accessible. These cameos were fashionable items. The reddish-brown gives the piece an antique feel, reminiscent of ancient Roman carvings. Wedgwood was very savvy, drawing inspiration from the past to create desirable objects for the present. This wasn't just art; it was a business. The firm skillfully blurred the lines between art, craft, and industry, creating a brand that still resonates today.