How did Josiah Wedgwood popularize Neoclassical cameo jewelry?

During the late 18th century, archaeological discoveries in Pompeii and Herculaneum sparked a widespread European fascination with Neoclassical ideals, leading to a resurgence in the popularity of cameo jewelry.1

Josiah Wedgwood played a pivotal role in popularizing these forms by applying his technical expertise to create affordable, high-quality reproductions. He developed jasperware—a fine-grained, unglazed stoneware—which allowed him to replicate the aesthetic of antique hardstone and glass cameos.123

To achieve this, Wedgwood employed skilled artists, most notably the sculptor John Flaxman, to model figures in relief. These white relief designs were applied to a contrasting colored background, such as pale blue, green, black, or pink. These plaques were then framed in gold and incorporated into a wide variety of jewelry, including rings, bracelets, belts, pins, and medallions, making the Neoclassical style accessible to a broader audience.132