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Captain James Cook by Wedgwood

Maker Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Ltd (British, founded 1759)

Date1997

Object number00040642

NameMedallion

MediumCeramic

Dimensions110 x 90 x 15 mm

ClassificationsCoins and medals

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis portrait shows Captain James Cook in silhouette and was produced to coincide with the visit of the replica HMB ENDEAVOUR to England. Cook was a British navigator, explorer and sailor who commonly features in commemorative items. Even in the 21st century the market for wares relating to him is robust. This medallion is number 8 in a limited edition of 100 produced by Wedgwood.HistoryDue to the public interest in the founding of Australia various portrait medallions of people associated with exploration were produced by Josiah Wedgwood. Two Wedgwood portrait medallions of Captain Cook were modelled by John Flaxman. The first, a three-quarter profile, was adapted from the portrait by William Hodges who accompanied Cook on the voyage of 1772-1775. The second portrait medallion depicts Cook's profile and was produced about 1784, and adapted from the Royal society medallion executed by Lawrence Pingo in 1779. These portrait medallions were, at the time, more significant than mere commemoratives pieces as Lord Wedgwood explains: "These wonderful portrait medallions, in the days when there was no such thing as photographic news services, took the stories of the great explorers to the world in a way that had never been done before." The bas-relief portrait profile medallion was reproduced (probably from the same mould) in 1957 for the Hakluyt Society; and again in 1976 for the British Museum; and most recently in 1997 for the ENDEAVOUR Replica visit to England. Jasper ware itself was developed by Josiah Wedgwood in the early 1770s and is a form of stoneware that can be successfully coloured - with perhaps the most well known colour being the Wedgwood Blue. SignificanceThis example represents the popularity in Wedgwood-designed 18th century decorative and commemorative objects. It also demonstrates the enduring celebrity of James Cook.