Banks [ca. 1789 / medallion portrait believed to have been modelled by John Flaxman]

P*61
Status: On display. Objects Gallery. Case 3, Shelf 48

fonds

ca. 1789

Graphic Materials, Objects

442101

Objects - 1 white on blue jasper ware medallion, stored in oval shaped metal frame painted gold in colour and decorated with leaf and cross designs. At the centre top are two loops for hanging. - 11 x 9.5 cm. frame ; (loop, 1.2 cm.)

The portrait depicts in relief the right profile of Sir Joseph Banks as a young man.

Based on a portrait of Sir Joseph Banks that was modelled by John Flaxman Jnr. between 1775-1779, it is difficult to assign a specific date to the medallion as several issues were made over a period of time.
The portrait is housed in a non-contemporaneous frame.
Printed on the front of the box in which the medallion is housed are biographical notes on Sir Joseph Banks.
The medallion is similar to portraits of Joseph Banks held in the Mitchell Library (P*33 black basalt ware, P*31, P*34, P*35, P*55) and those located in the Dixson Galleries collection (DL Pa 99 and DL Pa 100).

"Banks" impressed below image at truncation of bust.
Handwritten on a paper label affixed to back of medallion, "Old Wedgwood portrait / of Sir Joseph Banks / designed by Flaxman. / and made 1789. / Fred: Rathbone / 20 Alfred Place West / London / SW"
Impressed on reverse, "Wedgwood"
"H 230" handwritten on a circular shaped paper label affixed to reverse of portrait.