(ca. 1780-1790) Benjamin Franklin Oval Medallion by Wedgwood, after Caffieri. Sellers 5, Reilly & Savage e. Black basalt earthenware. Extremely Fine or better. 85 mm x 68 mm. A very attractive production, and an early one, marked Wedgwood in lower case letters, thus issued after 1780 (when the Wedgwood & Bentley mark ceased) but before most wares received the all capital letter WEDGWOOD mark that was used with dating codes beginning in 1860 and continued in some form into the 20th century. This medallion shows Caffieris attractive civilian bust of Franklin to right, with FRANKLIN impressed on an arc beneath. The top of the blank back shows an impressed rectangular area for ease of hanging, connected to two holes in the top edge to accommodate a wire, as made. Sellers suggests that Wedgwood began production of this type after the summer of 1779, following shortly after the sculpting of the original in 1777. The condition is superb, with no visible defects. A worthy companion piece to the two others offered here.
