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Lot 118

A Wedgwood anti-slavery medallion, circa 1790

19 November 2025, 10:30 GMT
London, Knightsbridge

£1,200 - £1,800

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A Wedgwood anti-slavery medallion, circa 1790

Of oval shape composed of black and white jasperware, an enslaved man depicted in profile, kneeling on one knee, his hands together, situated beneath the inscription 'AM I NOT A MAN AND A BROTHER?', 3cm high

Footnotes

Josiah Wedgwood was commissioned to make a seal for the Society for the Effecting the Abolition of the African Slave Trade shortly after its founding in May 1787. The design was well received and a second suggestion was made to distribute them beyond the Society as promotion for the cause. As medallions they could be set into pins, brooches, onto boxes and other accessories which could easily be kept on one's person. The image and inscription were further adopted by other makers, see Bonhams, 23 February 2022, lot 124 for a printed patch box. Wedgwood personally sent 'a packet' of cameos to Benjamin Franklin in 1788, writing '...for the use of Your Excellency and friends, a few Cameos on a subject which I am happy to acquaint you is daily more and more taking possession of men's minds on this side the Atlantic as well as with you...', see Iris Moon, Melancholy Wedgwood (2023), p.130. Other examples were sold by Bonhams on 29 September 2020, lot 123 and on 11 June 2025, lot 169.

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