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Blue-printed botanical plate - 1810
The botanical patterns of the early 19th century were suggested by John Wedgwood, eldest son of Josiah. John was the founder of the Royal Horticultural Society. One of the most original designs was the 'Darwin Water Lily' pattern. Its name derives from the close family associations between the Darwins and Wedgwoods.
Although in the eighteenth century people had little understanding of ancient cultures, particularly that of ancient Egypt, Wedgwood was an early pioneer in the production of ‘Egyptianised’ wares. This canopic vase in black basalt has been painted with special encaustic enamels. In ancient Egypt a canopic lidded vase was intended to hold the internal organs, or viscera, of the deceased. Here the Etruria factory has produced an interpretation of the canopic vase without the lid, although the shape itself has been faithfully reproduced. Wedgwood drew on a number of archaeological publications for both the design and decoration of his ornamental basalt wares, and a list of ‘Books belonging to W & B the 10th August 1770’ includes a mention of Bernard de Montfaucon’s ‘L’Antiquité Expliquée’. Volume II of the work features an entry of a canopic jar, which inspired both the design and decoration of this Wedgwood vase. The piece formerly belonged to Wedgwood’s friend, the physician and poet Erasmus Darwin.
- Type of object: Dinner ware/plate
- Mark: WEDGWOOD HH [Impressed]
- Year first produced: 1810
- Body: Queen's ware and cream-coloured earthenware
- Material: Ceramic
- Decoration: Under-glaze blue-painted and printed
- Accession number: WMT-2007-04-2
- Dimensions: 245mm (diameter), 25mm (height)
