Oval terracotta jasper medallion with bright blue relief of prancing bull

Bull Medallion

Wedgwood

1957

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Tall elegant silver centerpiece resting on a flat triangular base with concave sides and guilloche border mounted on three delicately chased shell feet the lower body of the centerpiece likewise of triangular form with two bands of guilloche molding and the cast and applied arms of the Earls of Coventry on all three long sides separated by individual molded scroll motifs on the short sides supported by three dolphins with looped tails between heavy swags of fruit and flowers on each angle of the lower body stands a female figure of caryatid type sculptured in the round and clad in a classically draped gown and sandals facing outward the figures hold in each hand the wand or scepter of Dionysus one surmounted by a pine cone and the other by ivy leaves and berries so that they form a criss cross pattern with the wands which are crossed and tied near the middle with large bows in the center of the figures is a large round medallion and resting lightly on the heads of the figures is a circular stand decorated with a frieze of scrolling foliage and flowers below a large bowl of open basketwork rising to a double plaited edge with a band of guilloche A glass liner now missing originally fit into the bowl
Shallow bowl of creamy beige stoneware with a wide rim that is decorated with a stylized leafy pattern covered with an opaque greenish glaze that varies in shades from light to dark and is flecked brown throughout occasionally allowing the clay body to show through
Small slightly irregular rectangular tablet with the bas relief image of Vulcan forging the armor for Achilles in the center stands Vulcan swinging his hammer while another holds a shield on the anvil in the background are two other figures swinging their hammers at Vulcans feet lies part of a suit of armor and on the left sits Venus in Achilless chariot classically draped her body turned toward Vulcan and her left hand brought to her chin at her feet stands a small winged Cupid holding Achilless helmet aloft in his two hands in the background is the fiery forge on the right and a landscape visible through the brick arches in the center and left the surface has a slight bronze patina
Oval medallion of black basalt with the bas relief portrait bust of Roman Emperor Titus 39 81 AD facing right wearing laurel leaf crown the name TITUS is impressed below the truncation self frame pierced to hang