The Drunken Silenus

Wedgwood, Wedgwood and Bentley

About 1778

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Obverse Head in profile left Reverse In the center a lyre with laurel branches
Pair of solid white jasper urns with black jasper dip and applied white jasper relief decoration each on a square plinth with anthemion motifs around with round foot with floral motifs and beading on the stem the lower body with stiff leaf and lotus motifs and the main body with the scene of Apollo and the Nine Muses and above this a band of white the shoulder decorated with acanthus leaves and leafy anthemion motifs the terminals of the handles comprised of satyr masks whose fluted horns extend up and connect to form an angular loop handle with plain neck and flared lip with like floral band the small conforming cover with stiff leaf elements and ball finial the interiors left white and with sump covers
A two drawer commode with no lateral division between the drawers with an oak carcass and walnut drawers of slight bombé shape with a serpentine white and gray veined marble top with molded edge and shaped apron on four tall curving legs the front divided into three decorative panels the central panel in the shape of a cartouche framed in scrolled and foliated gilt bronze partially entwined with foliated sprays from which emerge four richly scrolled and foliated sprays of leaves raised to form drawer handles each panel is banded by amaranth and kingwood and inlaid with trailing sprays of flowers and leaves with similar marquetry panels on both sides with elaborate gilt bronze foliated mounts the legs outlined with gilt bronze bands wrapped with foliated vines and terminating in foliate sabots each drawer is fitted with a small keyhole of gilt bronze in the center of the front
Small footed helmet shaped creamer or cream jug with serpentine sides the pouring lip broad and elongated the high loop handle ribbed the ribbing extends to around the upper edge of the piece the slender stem of the foot widens to rest on a narrow plinth with ribbed sides the body is decorated with bright cut engraving in a pattern of floral garlands surrounding on each side a shield which is empty save for one which bears a crest the upper body with a band of stylized floral elements the foot with delicate engraved elements and a circle of beading the upper side of the plinth likewise with a decorative band