Cameo with Sacrifice of a Bull c. late 18th century

This small cameo depicting the sacrifice of a bull was made by the Wedgwood Manufactory. Wedgwood was a British ceramic firm founded in 1759, that was renowned for the industrial production of pottery inspired by classical art. They supplied the market with neoclassical designs that were in vogue in Europe. By appropriating these visual codes, Wedgwood helped to disseminate specific notions of taste and social status. This cameo, with its blue background and white figures, evokes ancient Greek and Roman relief sculptures. The scene depicts a religious ritual, where a bull is sacrificed to the gods. In the ancient world, such sacrifices were performed to ensure divine favor, social cohesion, and political legitimacy. The production and consumption of such imagery in 18th-century Britain reflects an attempt to associate with the values and prestige of classical civilization. By studying historical sources such as archaeological reports, museum collections, and trade records, we can further illuminate the meaning of this cameo as a cultural and historical artifact.