Wine-cooler
Wedgwood
Category
Ceramics
Date
1868
Materials
jasperware
Measurements
187 mm (H); 222 mm (W)
Place of origin
Etruria
Order this imageCollection
Calke Abbey, Derbyshire
NT 285172
Summary
Wine-cooler, solid blue jasper with white jasper sprigs, the decoration designed by Lady Diana Beauclerk, ca 1783-9, made by Wedgwood, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, 1868; white sprigged decoration white relief with groups of infant bacchanales, putti and an infant satyr, supporting urns and drapery with leafy handles, borders with stiff leaves at rim and icicles at base.
Full description
Lady Diana Beauclerk (1734-1808) is best known for the designs she produced for Josiah Wedgwood’s jasperware between 1783-9. The decoration on this wine-cooler is based on her sketches. William Hackwood translated her drawings into low reliefs that could be applied to the surface of vessels and decorative plaques. Beauclerk also produced drawings and watercolours for the artist Francesco Bartolozzi, which he translated into popular engravings. Group of Three Boys, the central motif on this wine-cooler, is one of the designs reproduced by Bartolozzi. It was used by Wedgwood as a source for printed decoration, as well as in relief on plaques, jugs and tea wares. It shows the god Bacchus as an infant, wearing a wreath of vine leaves and holding a wand tipped with a pinecone (known as a thyrsus), held aloft by two cherubs. Other groups of cherubs and a satyr are placed around the body, playing music, gathering grapes and generally having a good time (fitting for Bacchus, the god of wine and festivity). Beauclerk created at least four designs for Wedgwood, who – no doubt seeing an opportunity to monopolise on her social cachet – acknowledged her role as designer in his 1787 ornamental ware catalogue. He wrote that she and Lady Templetown, ‘whose exquisite taste is universally acknowledged, have honoured me with the liberty of copying from their designs’. Wine-coolers were made to hold ice and water and were used at the sideboard to keep bottles of wine cold during a meal.
Marks and inscriptions
Underside of base: WEDGWOOD (manufacturer's mark) J.R.W. (date code for 1868)
Makers and roles
Wedgwood, manufacturer Lady Diana Spencer, Lady Beauclerk (London 1734 – Twickenham 1808), designer
References
Dawson, Aileen, Masterpieces of Wedgwood in the British Museum (1984), Fig. 47 Reilly 1995: Robin Reilly, Wedgwood: The New Illustrated Dictionary (Woodbridge: Antique Collectors Club, 1995), p. 60