Object Description
An antique Wedgwood black basalt bust of Plato.
This Grand Tour sculpture is a very stylish depiction of the Athenian philosopher Plato (c.428-347 B.C.).
He is one of the most important figures of ancient Greek history and founded the world’s first university, training the equally influential Aristotle. In his written dialogues he conveyed and expanded on the ideas and techniques of his teacher Socrates.
Plato envisioned the distinction between ideal forms and everyday experience, then how it played out both for individuals and for societies.
At over 160 years old, this bust is in good condition, features such as the nose, wrinkles of the brow and beard are still intact and clearly defined.
Wedgwood first began creating black basalt wares in 1768. This dense and fine-grained basalt bust remains to this day of fine quality.
This bust bares a great likeness to his famous portrait, which was likely first depicted during the Hellenistic era but remains recognisable to this day.
The bust is stamped ‘Plato’ and ‘Wedgwood’ to the back.