Sydney Cove Medallion, 1789

Commemorating the First Fleet landing

Highly Collectable

Arthur Phillip sent clay from Sydney Cove to Joseph Banks in November 1788. Banks passed this on to Josiah Wedgwood who crafted a number of medallions showing ‘Hope encouraging Art and Labour under the influence of Peace, to pursue the employments necessary to give security and happiness to an infant colony’. The design was by Henry Webber.

The medallions were produced in three colours: pale cream, dark brown and black, according to which of the three clays that had been sent were used. It is not known how many were made though the quantity is likely to have been small. However, only eleven are now known to exist.
Display item Sydney Cove Medallion, 1789

 

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