Classic Black: The Basalt Sculpture of Wedgwood and His Contemporaries

A fascinating exploration of the inspiration behind, and development, of black basalt, the famous stoneware perfected by Josiah Wedgwood in the 1768 to produce his exquisite ornamental wares. Classic Black is a fascinating exploration of the inspiration behind, and development of, classically inspired sculpture and other ornamental wares in black basalt, the famous stoneware perfected by Josiah Wedgwood in 1768 and then produced by other prominent Staffordshire potters as well. Wedgwood, with prescience, said of his new creation: 'Black is Sterling and will last forever.' This volume presents approximately 120 examples of ornamental black basalt, including portrait busts, statues, and vases, ewers, and other fully three-dimensional, ornamental forms. Works in low relief include tablets, plaques, medallions, and cameos. The volume also features essays by renowned subject specialists and individual, fully illustrated catalogue entries which will be grouped into three chapters and organised according to the era - Classical Antiquity, 16th- and 17th-Centuries, 18th Century - of the design sources used by Wedgwood and his contemporaries to create their basalt wares. AUTHOR: Brian Gallagher is the Curator of Decorative Arts at The Mint Museum. His recent projects include the publication, British Ceramics 1675–1825: The Mint Museum, which highlights over 225 examples from the Mint's renowned British ceramics collection, and the reinstallation of that collection in a long-term display called Portals to the Past: British Ceramics 1675–1825. Gaye Blake-Roberts is curator of the Wedgwood Museum, Barlaston, UK. Robin Emmerson is the former curator of Decorative Arts, National Museums, Liverpool, UK. Dr. Nancy H. Ramage is the Charles A. Dana Professor of the Humanities and Arts Emerita, Ithaca College. Dr. M.G. Sullivan, Independent Scholar, York University, UK. 245 colour illustrations

“"One of the most important works on 18th-century ceramics to be published in the last decade"--Anne Forschler-Tarrasch, The Art Newspaper "A handsomely illustrated catalog written by Mr. Gallagher, with contributions by several eminent colleagues in the field"--Barrymore Laurence Scherer, The Wall Street Journal "A scholarly study of classically inspired sculpture and utilitarian and ornamental stoneware in black basalt"--Andrew Lambirth, The London Magazine”

"One of the most important works on 18th-century ceramics to be published in the last decade"—Anne Forschler-Tarrasch, The Art Newspaper; "A handsomely illustrated catalog written by Mr. Gallagher, with contributions by several eminent colleagues in the field"—Barrymore Laurence Scherer, The Wall Street Journal; "A scholarly study of classically inspired sculpture and utilitarian and ornamental stoneware in black basalt"—Andrew Lambirth, The London Magazine

Brian Gallagher is the Curator of Decorative Arts at The Mint Museum. His recent projects include the publication, British Ceramics 1675–1825: The Mint Museum, which highlights over 225 examples from the Mint’s renowned British ceramics collection, and the reinstallation of that collection in a long-term display called Portals to the Past: British Ceramics 1675–1825. Gaye Blake-Roberts is curator of the Wedgwood Museum, Barlaston, UK. Robin Emmerson is the former curator of Decorative Arts, National Museums, Liverpool, UK. Dr. Nancy H. Ramage is the Charles A. Dana Professor of the Humanities and Arts Emerita, Ithaca College. Dr. M.G. Sullivan, Independent Scholar, York University, UK.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.