Plaque showing a portrait of Joseph Priestley, England, 1860-1868

Framed oval jasperware plaque with Flaxman cameo portrait of Dr Framed oval jasperware plaque with Flaxman cameo portrait of Dr

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Framed oval jasperware plaque with Flaxman cameo portrait of Dr
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Framed oval jasperware plaque with Flaxman cameo portrait of Dr
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Framed oval jasperware plaque with Flaxman cameo portrait of Dr. Joseph Priestley F.R.S., by Wedgwood, English, this copy 1868. Designed by Guiseppe Cerracchi

Joseph Priestley (1733-1804) is best known as the discoverer of oxygen. He, however, called the gas ‘dephlogisticated air’, a name based on chemical theories of the time. The modern understanding of its role in burning was worked out by Priestley’s contemporary, Antoine Lavoisier (1743-94). This plaque is made from jasperware, a fine grained stoneware developed by Wedgwood in 1775. It shows a cameo style profile of Priestley.

Details

Category:
Surgery
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A652233
Materials:
plaque, jasperware, frame, wood, gilded and glass
Measurements:
overall: 375 mm x 300 mm x 70 mm, 3.13kg
type:
jasperware plaque
credit:
Wellcome Trust (Purchased from Stevens)