Medallion “Venus and Cupid”

Wedgwood

About 1800

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Small black basalt footed urn resting on a small square plinth decorated on each side with a molded pattern of ovals, the foot and stem engine turned and with a band of overlapping leaves at the edge, the lower body of the urn with graceful acanthus leaves extending upward and on each side a garland of leafy grape vines and bunches of grapes, the two handles are formed of satyr masks, whose conjoined horns curve up and attach to the lip of the vase, above the shoulder and on the neck the decoration is likewise engine turned, the conforming cover is also engine turned and has a ball finial (possibly not original).
Large group of solid white and solid blue jasper with white and green jasper relief, on a stepped blue base the white figure of Minerva as Britannia Triumphant sits atop a globe encircled in blue with the signs of the zodiac, her helmet is plumed and crowned with a sphinx above a wreath of green laurel leaves; Britannia is draped in a classical gown with cape and wears a breastplate with the winged head of Minerva, her left hand supports a blue and white portrait medallion of King George III as a Roman emperor, which rests on her knee, and her right hand is raised -- it originally held a trident; Britannia's sandaled feet rest upon France, represented as a distressed and angry fallen female figure of white jasper holding a torch in each hand (the right hand torch is broken, the flame of the left is partially missing), the watchful white jasper British lion stands at Britannia's right, at her left is the blue and white shield of Great Britain as well as a large white cornucopia overflowing with fruits, vegetables, and grains as symbols of strength, victory, and plenty; behind Britannia are various symbols of war and the British navy, all in white jasper: a cannon and cannon balls, a flag, a ship's prow and anchor, a breastplate, helmet, and sword, a shield, and a quiver of arrows.
Dish, David Puxley, Wedgwood, glazed stoneware
Half figure seated right, the head front.