Josiah Wedgwood - Part 2 - Turning Pottery into Politics

How did Wedgwood combine pottery with politics? Paul Greenhalgh is joined by Sir Tristram Hunt to discuss the life and work of potter and abolitionist Josiah Wedgwood who created one of the most famous ceramic companies in British history.

Ceramics and artwork in this week’s episode include:

Dinner Plate ‘Frog Service’, 1773, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons

Courtesy of V&A Museum

Plate ‘Frog Service’, 1773–1774, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons

Courtesy of V&A Museum

Portland Vase, 1790, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons

Courtesy of V&A Museum

Vase (Creamware), 1764–68, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons

Courtesy of V&A Museum

The Founding of Australia. By Capt. Arthur Phillip R.N., Sydney Cove, Jan. 26th 1788

Algernon Talmage

Medallion, 1790–95, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons

Courtesy of V&A Museum

Vase (Black Basalt), 1775–80, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons

Courtesy of V&A Museum

Milk Jug, 1785—95, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons

Courtesy of V&A Museum

Saucer, 1795—1810 , Josiah Wedgwood & Sons

Courtesy of V&A Museum

Portrait Medallion, 1775–80, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons

Courtesy of V&A Museum

Vase, Circa 1800—10, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons

Courtesy of V&A Museum

Dancing Hours Plaque, 1778, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons and John Flaxman

Courtesy of V&A Museum

Dancing Hours Salt Cellar, 1786—90, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons and John Flaxman

Courtesy of V&A Museum

Vase, Circa 1800—10, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons

Courtesy of V&A Museum

Teapot and cover (Black Basalt), 1810, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons

Courtesy of V&A Museum

Bust (Black Basalt), 1770–80, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons

Courtesy of V&A Museum

Teapot (Caneware), 18th Century, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons

Courtesy of V&A Museum

Edward Gibbon, 1737–94

Portland Vase, Circa 1–25 AD

Portland Vase, 1790, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons

Courtesy of V&A Museum

Josiah Wedgwood statue, Stoke-on-Trent, 1862–3, Edward Davis

Anti-slavery medallion, Circa 1787, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons

Courtesy of V&A Museum

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Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene

Additional Research: Catherine Ingram

Editor: Alessandro Ruocco

Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac

Chapters

• 00:00:00 Introduction: Josiah Wedgwood - Turning Pottery into Politics
• 00:01:32 The London Shop and Marketing Genius
• 00:04:26 Art Meets Commerce: Wedgwood's Philosophy
• 00:06:12 Global Ambition: 80% Export Market
• 00:11:29 Countering Porcelain: Creamware vs European Tradition
• 00:13:09 Black Basalt and the Innovation of Jasperware
• 00:15:40 John Flaxman and Ceramics as High Art
• 00:20:03 The Portland Vase: Artistic Triumph and Commercial Challenge
• 00:22:03 Free Trade and Empire: A Businessman's Contradictions
• 00:24:34 Radical Patriotism: Politics and Revolution
• 00:29:24 The Abolition Badge: Pottery Against Slavery
• 00:35:37 Legacy and Decline: After Josiah's Death in 1795
• 00:40:27 The Wedgwood Brand: Surviving 200 Years of Mismanagement
• 00:43:16 Conclusion: Wedgwood's Enduring Importance to Ceramic History