Zeno

Wedgwood and Bentley

ca. 1775 · Black basalt (unglazed stoneware) · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Classical themes from antiquity predominated in the decorative ceramic objects made by Wedgwood. This oval plaque depicts Zeno, the Greek philosopher from the fifth century B.C. who was best known in Plato’s Dialogues for posing a series of paradoxes to other philosophers. The molded and gilded frame is made of the same ceramic body as the plaque.

Artist

Wedgwood and Bentley

Date

ca. 1775

Medium

Black basalt (unglazed stoneware)

Culture

British, Etruria, Staffordshire

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of the Starr and Wolfe Families, in celebration of the Museum's 150th Anniversary, 2019