Images(2)

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.