Wedgwood & Bentley 18thC Black Basalt Intaglio Seal – Male Profile No.371

Exquisite 18th Century Wedgwood & Bentley Basalt Intaglio Seal – Male Profile No. 371

On offer is a rare and highly collectable Wedgwood & Bentley 18th century black basalt intaglio seal, depicting a finely modelled male profile. Catalogued as No. 371 in the historic Wedgwood & Bentley listings, this refined piece showcases the elegance, restraint and superb craftsmanship that made Wedgwood a leader in neo-classical design.

Fashioned in black basalt stoneware – the dense, satin-matt ceramic body perfected by Josiah Wedgwood in the 18th century – the seal combines sculptural crispness with a beautifully tactile finish. The profile portrait is sharply cut, with clear facial features and classical styling that reflect the period’s fascination with antique intaglios, cameos and seals.

Key Features

• Maker: Wedgwood & Bentley
• Period: 18th Century
• Material: Black basalt stoneware
• Type: Intaglio seal
• Design: Male profile portrait
• Catalogue Reference: Listed as No. 371 in period Wedgwood & Bentley catalogues
• Style: Neo-classical, after the antique

Historical & Artistic Significance

This intaglio seal belongs to the celebrated output of Wedgwood & Bentley during the height of the neo-classical revival. Black basalt wares were especially prized in the late 18th century for their ability to emulate ancient Roman and Etruscan objects. The present seal captures that aesthetic perfectly, with a crisp, classical male profile that would have appealed to Grand Tour collectors and connoisseurs of the antique.

The design is documented in the important reference work: A Catalogue of Cameos: Intaglios, Medals, Busts, Small Statues, and Bas-reliefs; with a General Account of Vases and Other Ornaments After the Antique, Made by Wedgwood and Bentley; and Sold at Their Rooms in Greek-Street-Soho, London – 1777. Its presence in this catalogue confirms the authenticity of the model and its place within the original 18th-century Wedgwood & Bentley production.

Craftsmanship & Design Details

Wedgwood’s black basalt is renowned for its fine grain, durability and deep, even colour. These qualities allow for exceptional detail in low relief, which is clearly visible in the modelling of this seal. The male profile is sharply defined, with careful attention to the outline of the nose, lips, chin and hair, reflecting the influence of ancient engraved gems and classical portraiture.

As an intaglio seal, the design is cut in such a way that it would produce a raised impression when pressed into wax. In the 18th century, such seals were used not only for practical purposes in sealing letters and documents, but also as personal statements of taste, education and sophistication. This example, with its scholarly neo-classical subject, would have been the choice of a discerning patron.

For Collectors of Wedgwood, Seals & Classical Decorative Arts

This piece is particularly appealing to:

• Serious Wedgwood collectors seeking early Wedgwood & Bentley examples
• Connoisseurs of intaglios, cameos and seals, especially 18th-century and neo-classical pieces
• Collectors of black basalt who appreciate the subtlety and depth of Wedgwood’s finest stoneware body
• Historians and curators interested in documented objects from the 1777 Wedgwood & Bentley catalogue
• Decorative arts enthusiasts looking for a refined, museum-quality object with strong academic and aesthetic appeal

Whether displayed in a cabinet of curiosities, alongside other Grand Tour pieces, or within a specialist Wedgwood collection, this seal offers both visual charm and scholarly interest. Its compact scale and sculptural presence make it a superb accent in any refined interior.

Provenance & Reference

The design and number of this seal are recorded in the 18th-century publication A Catalogue of Cameos: Intaglios, Medals, Busts, Small Statues, and Bas-reliefs; with a General Account of Vases and Other Ornaments After the Antique, Made by Wedgwood and Bentley; and Sold at Their Rooms in Greek-Street-Soho, London – 1777. This association underscores its authenticity as a genuine Wedgwood & Bentley basalt intaglio from the period, rather than a later copy or revival piece.

A Refined Addition to Any Fine Ceramics Collection

This 18th century Wedgwood & Bentley black basalt intaglio seal with male profile No. 371 is an outstanding example of Georgian-era taste, technical innovation and classical inspiration. For the dedicated collector of fine English pottery, early Wedgwood, black basalt, seals and intaglios, it represents a rare opportunity to acquire an object that is both historically important and aesthetically timeless.

Elevate your collection with this elegant and scholarly piece of 18th century Wedgwood & Bentley craftsmanship, firmly rooted in the classical tradition yet perfectly suited to a modern, curated interior.