Interpretation
Founded in 1759, Josiah Wedgwood and Sons was the first industrialized porcelain manufacturer in Staffordshire. In addition to technical improvements making possible the large-scale production of its wares, Wedgwood was famous for jasperware and for designs based on ancient models. A major success was its reproduction of the Portland Vase, an ancient Roman vessel of carved cameo glass, dated to the first century b.c. Now in the British Museum, the vase was discovered in Rome and belonged to the third Duke of Portland in 1786, when Wedgwood began experimenting with copies in jasperware. The first edition of copies, with black backgrounds, was produced in 1790; following editions often had Wedgwood-blue backgrounds. Several editions created between 1870 and 1885 had black backgrounds, including the present example. The subject of the relief scenes has been interpreted as both historical and mythological, and classicists continue to discuss its possible meanings.
Information
- Title
- Copy of the Portland Vase
- Object Number
- y1981-41
- Medium
- Black and white jasper ware
- Dimensions
- h. 26.0 cm, diam. 19.2 cm (10 1/4 x 7 9/16 in.)
- Credit Line
- Gift of George Packer Berry, Class of 1921
- Culture
- British
- Marks/Labels/Seals
- Marked on foot, beneath tree on right: Wedgwood 1
- Materials
London; purchase by grandparents of George Packer Berry; by descent to George Packer Berry; 1981 gift to Princeton University Art Museum.
- Art@Bainbridge | Elizabeth Colomba: Repainting the Story March 12–May 8, 2022
Feedback
The Museum regularly researches its objects and their collecting histories, updating its records to reflect new information. We also strive to catalogue works of art using language that is consistent with how people, subjects, artists, and cultures describe themselves. As this effort is ongoing, the Museum’s records may be incomplete or contain terms that are no longer acceptable. We welcome your feedback, questions, and additional information that you feel may be useful to us. Email us at collectionsinfo@princeton.edu.
Want to use an image from the Museum's collections? Review our image use and access policies.