Rulers of England – John

Wedgwood

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Bust in profile left with veil.
Pair of vases of solid light blue jasper with applied white jasper relief decoration, each on round foot decorated with overlapping acanthus leaves, the tapered body with a pattern of four fluted columns ending in lion's feet, with lion's head's with rings in their mouths at the top of each column, with a band of twisted ribbon around the lower body and a band of ribbon and oak leaves at the top, the main body with floral and fruit festoons between the columns as well as small oval medallions with classical vignettes, including a flying cupid, a detail from Sacrifice to Hymen, Venus bound by Cupid, and a classical figure, the flared lip with the same overlapping acanthus leaf motif as around the foot.
Fairy lustre vase
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.