Bust of Mercury

Wedgwood

  • Titles Bust of Mercury (Descriptive)
  • Artist Wedgwood, England, est. 1759
  • Medium stoneware (black basalt)
  • Dimensions 11 x 7 x 6 1/4 in. (27.9 x 17.8 x 15.9 cm)
  • Credit Line Collection of the Art Fund, Inc. at the Birmingham Museum of Art; The Buten Wedgwood Collection, gift through the Wedgwood Society of New York, AFI.572.2011
  • Work Type sculpture
  • Classification Sculpture

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Small teapot of cylindrical shape of solid white jasper with lilac jasper dip and applied white and green jasper relief decoration, with ear-shaped, leaf-molded handle and straight spout with applied leaf and berry motifs at the terminal and floral garlands at the tip, around the lower body a band of overlapping acanthus leaves with delicate shading, the main body engine-turned to create checkerboard pattern of alternating white and lilac squares with small applied green jasper quatrefoils in the white squares, below the shoulder a band of leafy vines, the conforming, flat cover with same checkerboard pattern and ball finial with a band of like checkerboard motifs, the interior unglazed and with strainer.
On small base decorated with green leaves stands the figure of Harlequin against a tree stump wearing turquoise knee breeches with lilac florettes and a red tunic with gilt banding, incised scroll design, and yellow bows down the front over a white shirt with ruffled collar and cuffs, on his head rests a gilt-edged tricorn hat with white bow, his shoes are yellow with lilac florettes, under his right arm he holds a lute, his left arm raises a tall pass glass to his mouth
In the middle the Amazon Column, left a plant stand, and right a three-tiered fruit dish; in the upper left and right corners are supports for a balcony.
Bust in profile right.