The recognized “father of English pottery” is Josiah Wedgwood (1730-1795).[i] Wedgwood’s practical and innovative work graced the tables of English and Russian royalty and his glazing techniques revolutionized his industry. His work is on display in some of the greatest museums of the world and his company has been thriving for over 200 years. But apart from being a successful craftsman and businessman Wedgwood used his craft to speak out against the slave trade. In 1787 Wedgwood joined the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. He also “designed the Society’s seal which showed a black slave in chains, kneeling, his hands lifted up to heaven. The motto read: ‘Am I Not a Man and a Brother?’[ii] Wedgwood reproduced the design in a cameo and donated hundreds of these to the Society for distribution. The upper-class ladies of England had them fashioned into broaches, hairpins and necklaces and this “fashion statement” was instrumental in piercing the conscience and shaping a critical mass of opinion that helped lead to the abolition of the slave trade in England.
[i] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josiah_Wedgwood (accessed December 4, 2009).
[ii] http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/REwedgwood.htm (accessed December 8, 2008)
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Generally, Josiah Wedgwood is considered as an entrepreneur rather than an artist. He won the royal customer because of the latest craft in his time.
Thomas K. McCraw’s book “Creating Modern Capitalism” (http://books.google.com/books?id=eqRk4CWpgbwC) illustrated it very well.