(Ca. 1780) Benjamin Franklin portrait medallion by Wedgwood. Modeled by William Hackwood. Creamware, glazed and painted. 61 x 75 mm. Reilly and Savage type a.

Bare-headed bust of Franklin to left on obverse. Back impressed WEDGWOOD near top and incised DR B Franklin in an unusual script hand near center. Self framed, tiny suspension hole deftly placed between upraised frame rim and edge at time of firing. Mr. Margolis noted that this was "no doubt a factory reference model," citing a talk given to the December 1981 meeting of the Wedgwood Society of New York by Dr. Victor Polikoff entitled "Mis-named and Mis-spelled Factory Model Portrait Medallions." Painted a pleasing slate blue on front and edges, with skin tones (and rouge cheeks) on Franklin's portrait and youthful brown hair, this presents a distinctive, charming, and attractive appearance. It also stands out as a rare production among this world-class gathering of Franklin portrait medallions by Wedgwood.

From the Richard Margolis Collection. Earlier from Sotheby's (New York) sale of the Louis and Marie K. Henkels Collection, October 1982, lot 120.

Estimate: $2000