Commemorative porcelain portrait medallion of Captain Cook

Responding to the eighteenth-century public fascination with, and adoration of, James Cook, which only increased with his tragic death, Josiah Wedgwood and Sons commissioned the leading English sculptor of the day, John Flaxman, to model several portraits in wax. From these Wedgwood produced three portrait medallions of Cook in their signature jasperware, in 1777, 1779 and this one in 1784. This fine bust profile portrait was adapted from the Royal Society’s memorial medallion, which had been executed by Lewis Pingo, and issued in 1779 to coincide with the publication of the narrative of the tragic third voyage.

Provenance: From the collection of Sir Maurice Holmes.

Object details

Object Number:
SF000683
Accession Date:
25/03/2025
Controlling Institution:
Silentworld Foundation
Department:
Silentworld Foundation Collection
Classification:
European Portraits
Object Type:
European Portraits
Period:
18th century
Place:
Array
Medium Description:
Porcelain
Measurement Description:
100mm x 125mm.
Images:
Array
Cataloguer:
K Pentecost
Catalogued Date:
25/03/2025
Physical Characteristics:
Oval bas-relief profile portrait on blue jasper ground, applied white relief, impressed title “Capt. Cook”, impressed on back: “Wedgwood”. Framed in a contemporary oval beaded brass frame with suspension loop, under glass, brass backing with some verdigris patina, generally fine. Staffordshire, England.
Inscription:
The front is impressed with the title “Capt. Cook”, while impressed on back is the maker's mark in the form of “Wedgwood”.
Language:
English
Style Iconography:
Jasperware - Wedgwood
Mounting Framing:
Framed in a contemporary oval beaded brass frame with suspension loop, under glass, brass backing with some verdigris patina, generally fine. Staffordshire, England.