portrait medallion;
plaque
- Museum number
- 1909,1201.263
- Description
-
Portrait medallion or plaque intended for a box top, jasper ware (stoneware), dipped dark blue, circular, with applied moulded white jasper ware bust in relief to right of the marquis de Lafayette; applied moulded border decoration of palmettes and lotus flowers; polished edge. Marked.
- Production date
- 1790 (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 2.40 inches
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- Bindman
Lafayette joined the army of the American colonies in 1777 and returned to France a hero of that campaign. In 1787 he sat in the Assembly of Notables and in the States General and National Assembly of 1789. Although he favoured the abolition of titles and other measures, he remained supportive of the king and queen, especially as their isolation increased, and took the Oath of Federation on behalf of the French nation in 1790. He became a figure of deep suspicion to radicals in 1792, finally fleeing France and surrendering to the Austrians before he became an almost certain candidate for the guillotine. He was liberated by Napoleon in 1797. The portrait is based on a medallic portrait by Benjamin Duvivier (‘Trésor de Numismatique Française: Médailles de la Révolution Française’, Paris, 1836, pl. ix, 3), completed early in 1790. The Wedgwood version was in production by December 1791.
- Location
- On display (G46/dc18/p4/no14)
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
1990 6 Jun-9 Sep, France, Vizille, Musée de la Révolution Française, The French Revolution : La Version Anglaise
1976 1 Jul-31 Oct, USA, Lexington, Scottish Rite Masonic Museum of Our National Heritage, The American War of Independence
- Acquisition date
- 1909
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1909,1201.263
