(Ca. 1775) Benjamin Franklin portrait medallion by Wedgwood and Bentley. Modeled by William Hackwood. Jasperware, white relief on gray-blue ground dipped darker blue. In an ornate contemporary gilt brass frame with mount and ring. 65 x 88 mm. Reilly and Savage type a.

Bare-headed bust of Franklin to left with FRANKLIN impressed below on obverse. Back impressed WEDGWOOD & / BENTLEY at center. Two small firing holes, old provenance inscription at top center. A beautiful piece, with strong color contrast and no visible flaws on either side, though not examined out of frame. Of Sellers' description of this medallion (p. 397), Mr. Margolis noted in his own copy of the book that "Sellers is confused here," including missing the fact that he conflates three different bust types, none of which have the "costume" he describes. Reilly and Savage identify this bust as the first (their "a") portrait of Franklin accomplished by Wedgwood. While the busts are of an identical form, medallions with the same portrait were made by Wedgwood and Bentley in a variety of sizes. The smaller ones, like this, are perhaps more medallic and appealing to numismatists, but the larger ones are rightly prized as well.

From the Richard Margolis Collection. Earlier from Seal Simons, December 1978.

Estimate: $3500