Antislavery Medallion
Dateca. 1790
Artist/Maker
Josiah Wedgwood
(1730-1795)
Artist/Maker
William Hackwood (?-after 1831)
Maker
Wedgwood
(Est. 1759)
OriginEngland, Staffordshire
MediumStoneware, unglazed, white with black clay
Dimensions1 1/8" x 1 1/16"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1982-202
DescriptionAntislavery medallion: White and black unglazed stoneware (jasper) medallion modeled in relief with a kneeling manacled figure of an enslaved man with his hands raised in supplication. Above the kneeling figure, in raised letters is the motto: "AM I NOT A MAN AND A BROTHER". The medallion was probably modeled by William Hackwood and was manufactured by Josiah Wedgwood. The design of the medallion was based on the seal of the English abolitionist society.Label TextJosiah Wedgwood was a supporter of the English Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. Wedgwood manufactured unglazed stoneware medallions by the thousands and gave them away to supporters of the movement, some of whom had them set into jewelry. The design of the medallion, probably modeled by William Hackwood, was based on the seal of the English abolitionist society. The figure of the chained, kneeling enslaved individual, became an emblem of both the English and American abolitionist movements.
InscribedRaised letters forming motto, "AM I NOT A MAN AND A BROTHER" on the obverse.
MarkingsImpressed mark, "WEDGWOOD" with a circle on the reverse of the medallion.
ca. 1790
1750-1770
1827
1787
1696 (dated)
ca. 1805