Wedgwood Jasperware

Wedgwood Jasperware

Wax Mannequins and Wax Sculpting History

We are often amazed at how lifelike one can make a wax figurine. Some recall the number of wax museums you could visit when growing up. So what is the history of wax figurines and is wax still being used to create lifelike people?

Beeswax has historically always been an excellent medium for preparing figures and models, either through carving or by casting in molds. At ordinary temperatures, wax can easily be cut and shaped; it melts at a low temperature; it mixes with any coloring matter, and takes surface tints well.  Its texture and consistency may be modified by the addition of earthy matters and oils or fats and when molten, it is highly responsive to impressions from a mold. With wax, once it sets and hardens its form is relatively resilient against ordinary temperature variations, even when it is cast in thin laminae. This is possibly why we have seen wax used for modeling since the Middle Ages.

During the Italian Renaissance, modeling in wax took a position of high importance, and it was practiced by some of the greatest of the early masters. The bronze medallions of Pisanello and of the other famous medalists owe their value to the properties of wax: all early bronzes and metalwork were cast from wax models first. The famous wax bust attributed to Leonardo da Vinci acquired in 1909 by the Museum of Berlin is the work of an English forger who worked about 1840. The wax model of a head, at the Wicar Museum at Lille, belongs probably to the school of Canova, which robs it of none of its exquisite grace.

There are a number of very high quality wax figures from the 16th and 17th centuries, mostly portrait figures and religious or mythological scenes, often with many figures. Antonio Abondio (1538-91) pioneered the colored wax portrait miniature in relief, working mainly for the Habsburg and other courts of Northern Europe, and his son Alessandro continued in his footsteps.

Towards the close of the eighteenth century, modeling of medallion portraits and of relief groups, the latter frequently polychromatic, was in considerable vogue throughout Europe. Many of the artists were women. John Flaxman executed in wax many portraits and other relief figures which Josiah Wedgwood translated into pottery for his Jasperware. The National Portrait Gallery has forty wax portraits, mostly from this period.

Meanwhile, as storefronts were becoming popular as was the rise of the mannequin, the idea of using wax seemed the most apparent solution. With wax, models could be created in the most flattering way to the store’s clothing line. One of these great wax model designers was Pierre Imans a mannequin manufacturer from Paris. Imans was known for bringing a beautiful sense of human element to mannequins by capturing body expressions in wax.  He created interactive compositions of figures, as though they were in the process of living and unaware that they were also being observed.  Heads and torsos were sculpted as one. With a slight turn of the head, a hint of movement was achieved.  Hands were more delicately posed to create storytelling attitudes.

Miss Modesty, a wax mannequin of 1899 is a prime example of the development of storytelling attitudes. She stood in a store window, with hands and arms covering her face, stating reservation and shyness because she was wearing and selling corsets and undergarments.

At the turn of the century, the women's suffrage movement was gaining momentum, a definite influence on the female mannequin.  In fact, a particular Siegel mannequin that was set upon a turning base (she was without legs) translated into a determined, assertive female of that era.  With one arm held back and a hand slightly clenched, her head was high with vision focused straight forward. The other hand was more relaxed, showing a touch of softness. True to the accepted body language of her day, she portrayed the mature woman, with hips thrown back and heavy bosom thrust upwards.

After World War I, countries were plunged into the chaotic realm of picking up the pieces and getting back to the business of normal living. Concurrently, there was a major transition in the type of material used to sculpt mannequins, and there was a move from wax to plaster.

Plaster figures didn't melt in the show windows. They were much lighter in weight, and easier to handle. But at the same time, with plaster, it was more difficult to achieve the detailed features and anatomy that were possible with wax.

Wax figurines are still made today, but not wax mannequins. Today’s mannequin is typically made of fiberglass yet retains the very lifelike features of history’s wax mannequins. Despite the lack of need for mannequins made of wax, the medium of wax is still in high use and may always be due to its numerous qualities.

About the Author

About the Author: Ron Maier is the owner of OnlyHangers.com, a leading provider of high quality clothes hangers,including wooden hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyhangers.com

Wedgwood Jasperware $13.22 'Jasper' refers to the highly distinctive blue-and-white wares that have been produced by the Wedgwood company for more than two centuries. It was arguably Josiah Wedgwood's most important contribution to ceramic art and was a direct result of several thousand experiments over many years. It has been by far the most widely collected of all Wedgwood products, and this book will explore the history and stories behind this unique ware.

Wedgwood Dkp Collection Ballpoint Pen Chocolate Greek Key $120 The DKP Chocolate Collection of Wedgwood Fine Writing Instruments is designed for the original Wedgwood Jasperware from the English potter, Josiah Wedgwood. Made with a brass body and lacquer, these Wedgewood Pens achieve the effect of the rich chocolate finish. The middle rings are in a signature Greek key pattern with chrome clip. The DKP Collection is available in a ballpoint, roller ball and a fountain pen.

Wedgwood Dkp Collection Fountain Pen Chocolate Greek Key $160 The DKP Chocolate Collection of Wedgwood Fine Writing Instruments is designed for the original Wedgwood Jasperware from the English potter, Josiah Wedgwood. Made with a brass body and lacquer, these Wedgewood Pens achieve the effect of the rich chocolate finish. The middle rings are in a signature Greek key pattern with chrome clip. The DKP Collection is available in a ballpoint, roller ball and a fountain pen.

Wedgwood Collection $49.99 Wedgwood Collection - Giclee Print

Wedgwood Pottery $24.99 Wedgwood Pottery - Photographic Print

Josiah Wedgwood $34.99 Brian Evans Josiah Wedgwood - Giclee Print

John Hamilton Wedgwood, Clement Tom Wedgwood and Josiah Wedgwood of Wedgwood Ceramic Company $79.99 John Hamilton Wedgwood, Clement Tom Wedgwood and Josiah Wedgwood of Wedgwood Ceramic Company - Premium Photographic Print

Wedgwood /Wedgwood Blue (Book & CD) $13.8 "By Pam Wedgwood, Oliver Wedgwood, and Sam Wedgwood. For Piano. Book; CD; Piano Collection; Piano Supplemental. Faber Edition. Jazz. Early Advanced; Intermediate; Late Intermediate. Published by Faber Music"

Wedgwood Clio Teacup WGCLIO $18 Clio Teacup. Wedgwood Clio Teacup WGCLIO

Victorian Rose in Wedgwood Vase $39.99 Victorian Rose in Wedgwood Vase - Giclee Print

Josiah Wedgwood English Potter $39.99 Josiah Wedgwood English Potter - Giclee Print

Collection of Wedgwood Pieces $34.99 English School Collection of Wedgwood Pieces - Giclee Print

Workers in Wedgwood's Pottery Factory $39.99 Workers in Wedgwood's Pottery Factory - Giclee Print

Wedgwood Game Pie Dish, c.1820 $49.99 Wedgwood Game Pie Dish, c.1820 - Giclee Print

Wedgwood Gold Chelsea Espresso Cup WGCHLSESSPRCUP $10.99 Wedgwood Gold Chelsea Espresso Cup

An Illustration of a Typical Wedgwood Design on the Cover of the Music Sheet 'Wedgwood Blue' $39.99 An Illustration of a Typical Wedgwood Design on the Cover of the Music Sheet 'Wedgwood Blue' - Giclee Print

Wedgwood Blue: Book & CD $16.6 Wedgwood Blue is a landmark collection bringing together the extraordinary talents of the Wedgwood family. Oliver Wedgwood is a teacher and freelance jazz musician and younger brother Sam Wedgwood is a talented singer/songwriter. Wedgwood Blue features 10 original pieces in a variety of jazz styles for the Intermediate to Early Advanced pianist - from modern ballads to honky tonk, blues to Latin - all with sophisticated CD backings.

Wedgwood Clio Plate 10 7/8 $30 Clio Plate 10 7/8". Wedgwood Clio Plate 10 7/8"

Wedgwood Empress Ruby Creamer WGEMPCRM $48.99 Wedgwood China Empress Ruby Series Creamer .5p, .3L. Made in England.

Wedgwood Blue Siam Soup Cup $10.99 Blue Siam Soup Cup. Wedgwood Blue Siam Soup Cup

Front of New Wedgwood Ceramic Plant $79.99 Front of New Wedgwood Ceramic Plant - Premium Photographic Print

Exterior of Old Wedgwood Pottery Plant $79.99 Nat Farbman Exterior of Old Wedgwood Pottery Plant - Premium Photographic Print

Interior of Old Wedgwood Pottery Plant $79.99 Nat Farbman Interior of Old Wedgwood Pottery Plant - Premium Photographic Print

Wedgwood Chinaware Ready to Be Shipped Overseas $79.99 Nat Farbman Wedgwood Chinaware Ready to Be Shipped Overseas - Premium Photographic Print

Apprentices Painting China at Wedgwood Plant $99.99 Nat Farbman Apprentices Painting China at Wedgwood Plant - Premium Photographic Print

Veronica Wedgwood $95.59 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Dame (Cicely) Veronica Wedgwood Hon. D.Litt OM DBE (20 July 1910 9 March 1997) was an English historian who generally published under the name C. V. Wedgwood. She specialized in European history of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, including her stillauthoritative study The Thirty Years War (1938 and many later reprintings) and biographies of Oliver Cromwell, Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, William the Silent, and Cardinal Richelieu. Thirty years after she published her muchpraised biography of Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, she returned to the subject and published a muchrevised version that was considerably more critical of her subject. Historians often cite Wedgwoods two lives of Strafford as an illustration of scholarly integrity and openmindedness. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 134 Publication Date: 2010/08/09 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.31 inches

Wedgwood: Artistry and Innovation $22.76 Wedgwood has long been the gold standard in ceramics, an exemplar of English craftsmanship famed for its iconic blue-and-white patterns and unique glazes, and for the company's leading role in the industrialization of what was once an artisan trade, which so revolutionized the English ceramics industry in the eighteenth century. In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of Josiah Wedgwood's founding of the world-famous china and crystal production house, this volume features nearly 100 examples of the finest Wedgwood holdings from the Royal Ontario Museum's collection. Included are well-loved classics such as pieces of "Queen's Ware" from the table of Catherine the Great, copies of the famed "Portland Vase," a black basalt relief that weighs over 800 pounds, exquisite cameo medallions and jewelry, and examples of contemporary Wedgwood pieces.

Jazzin About By Wedgwood, Pam $16.43 Author: Wedgwood, Pam Series Title: Jazzin About Subtitle: Piano / Keyboard Publication Date: 2010/06/01 Number of Pages: 23 Binding Type: Paperback Language: English Depth: 0.25 Width: 8.50 Height: 11.50

Wedgwood China Empress Ruby Oatmeal Bowl WGEMPOAT $19.99 Wedgwood China Empress Ruby Series Oatmeal Bowl 6". Made in England.