Chess Piece: Pawn
19th century
Medium
Stoneware (jasperware)
Dimensions
5.7 × 3.5 cm (2 1/4 × 1 3/8 in.); Diam.: 3.5 cm (1 3/8 in.)
Classification
accessories (object genre)
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
68687
Art Historical Context
This elegant chess pawn, by the renowned Wedgwood Manuf in the 19th, exemplifies the fusion utility and refined artistry in decorative objects. Standing over two inches tall, piece is made ofasperware, a distinctiveware developed by Josiah Wedgwood in late 1700s Its matte, ungl surface and subtle tonal contrasts the material’s ability mimic the look of ancient cameos while offering durability for everyday use. asperware became a of neoclassical taste during Industrial Revolution, asgwood’s factory combined ceramic techniques with classical to make luxury accessible to a broader audience. smal...
About the Artist
Wedgwood Manufactory
Wedgwood Manufactory, founded on 1 May 1759 by Josiah Wedgwood in Burslem, Staffordshire, England, revolutionized ceramics during the Industrial Revolution. Born into a family of potters, Josiah apprenticed under his elder brother Thomas at the Churchyard Works from age 14, mastering traditional techniques before partnering with Thomas Whieldon from 1754 to 1759, where he honed innovative glazes. ...