Bust in profile left in civilian dress with medal, in decorative, cast-iron frame.

Rudolf von Auerswald (1795-1866), Prussian Statesman

Maker unknown, Germany

Second quarter of the 19th century

  • Titles Rudolf von Auerswald (1795-1866), Prussian Statesman (Descriptive)
  • Medium cast iron
  • Dimensions 8 3/8 x 6 3/8 in., 642.6g (21.3 x 16.2 cm, 0.6 kg)
  • Credit Line Gift of American Cast Iron Pipe Company, 1986.389
  • Work Type portrait medallion
  • Classification Medals

See More of the Collection

Bust in profile right. Cast after a Wedgwood jasper medallion, catalogued by Josiah Wedgwood in 1779.
Bust in profile right.
Bust front.
Oval blue jasper plaque with white relief scene of Marriage of Cupid and Psyche, The subject was originally taken from a Renaissance gem, a sardonyx, then in the Marlborough collection and now in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Wedgwood produced three distinct versions of the subject two of which show significant variations from the originals. The version closest to the original was probably taken from a sulphur cast of the gem by Tassie who reproduced it in his glass paste, or from a direct study of the Marlborough gem. Wedgwood was acquainted with the fourth Duke. The third version, attributed to Flaxman gives more space to the figures and incorporates detail from the other two versions. Bartolozzi engraved the subject, either from Marlborough gem or Tassie copy. Hackwood worked on the subject in 1774 from a cast supplied by Tassie. Lochee is reputed to have remodelled the subject in 1787 after Tassie. Webber is also said to have worked on it. Flaxman’s version seems to have been comparatively late, about 1787.