xiv Portraits, Medallions, Artistic Work 155 



obtained for his productions a distinguished rank 

 amongst the fine arts of the age. 



The amount and variety of work done by Wedg- 

 wood almost exceed belief. He never absolutely 

 copied. Though obtaining his first idea from the an- 

 tique, his was for the most part original. He varied 

 his forms, adding many beautiful variations in the 

 flowers and festoons which ornamented his jars and 

 vases. He produced candlesticks, buttons, flowerpots, 

 sphinxes, tritons, dolphins, crouching lions; at first in 

 black basalt, and afterwards in jasper. He went on 

 from one ware to another, always improving them. John 

 Coward was his principal modeller, and David Ehodes 

 his principal enameller, the latter remaining with the 

 firm until his death in 1777. Hack wood was principal 

 modeller of the heads of men of distinction and genius. 



In his Jasper ware he produced many works of great 

 artistic merit. In a future chapter the medallions of 

 Flaxman, perhaps the greatest of English sculptors, 

 will be referred to. Wedgwood's aim was to produce 

 not only the largest quantity, but the best quality of 

 the goods which he offered for sale. He went over his 

 workshops and watched the workmen carefully. They 

 knew the peculiar thud of his wooden leg as he mounted 

 the stairs leading to the workshops. He always carried 

 a stick because of his lameness. When any vessel 

 failed to satisfy him, because of its want of geometrical 

 proportions, he would take up his stick and at once 

 break it to pieces. 



