Mid-Century Wedgwood Black Jasper Churchill Portrait Plaque by Arnold Machin, 1970

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A raised white jasper profile bust of sir winston churchill smoking a cigar stands out in high contrast against a … Read more A raised white jasper profile bust of sir winston churchill smoking a cigar stands out in high contrast against a matte black oval ground. The bas-relief captures churchill's jowled jawline, receding hair, tailored jacket collar, and characteristic cigar, demonstrating the sharp cameo-modelling techniques for which wedgwood jasperware is celebrated. The relief was designed by the british sculptor arnold machin ra, who gained wide recognition for his royal portraiture, notably creating the effigy of queen elizabeth ii used on british decimal coinage. Machin brought a strong sculptural weight to churchill’s familiar profile, rendering the facial planes and expression with crisp, clean definition. Manufactured in england, this plaque dates to circa 1970 and continues wedgwood’s long tradition of commemorative portrait medallions depicting notable political and historical figures. The unglazed dry-body stoneware exhibits the tactile, velvety surface typical of black jasper, forming a stark, neutral background that accentuates the finely applied white sprigged relief. The reverse is clearly impressed into the stoneware with the title ""winston s. Churchill by arnold machin r.a."" above the factory stamp reading ""wedgwood made in england"". Standing 10 cm high, the medallion was intended as an independent cabinet piece or for framing See less