Portland Vase
Josiah Wedgwood and Sons: artist
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In 1783 an antique Roman glass vase was sold to the Duchess of Portland. Its fine cameos and enigmatic design made it one of the most famous objects of the eighteenth century. Wedgwood attempted to make copies of the glass vase using a black Jasperware body with white reliefs and the first successful copy was made in 1790. In the early twentieth century the firm re-editioned copies of the Portland vase.
The Portland vase (now in the British Museum) was the finest and most famous example of ancient Roman 'cameo' known at the time. Wedgwood exploited this technical triumph to successfully promote his wide range of ceramic production in the Neoclassical style, popular in the late eighteenth century.
The Portland vase (now in the British Museum) was the finest and most famous example of ancient Roman 'cameo' known at the time. Wedgwood exploited this technical triumph to successfully promote his wide range of ceramic production in the Neoclassical style, popular in the late eighteenth century.
Title
Portland Vase
Artist/Maker and role
Josiah Wedgwood and Sons: artist
Date
c 1906
Medium
stoneware; black jasperware with white slip relief
Measurements
25.5cm (height)
Credit line
Purchased 1907
The State Art Collection, The Art Gallery of Western Australia
Accession number
1907/00C4