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Pair of Antique Wedgwood & Bentley Black Basalt Jars England, Circa 1775

About the Item

This pair of Wedgwood & Bentley black basalt urns, crafted at the renowned Etruria factory around 1775, exemplifies the refined simplicity of neoclassical design. The smooth, tapered ovoid bodies rest on square pedestal bases, providing a sense of elegant proportion and balance. A band of vertical fluting encircles the shoulders, adding a crisp architectural detail. The matte black basalt surface is polished to a subtle sheen, resulting in a lustrous deep black finish. Gracefully curved rope-twist handles extend from the shoulders, framing the urns. A delicately draped garland in relief adds a hint of classical ornamentation without disrupting the overall restraint of the design. The domed lids, topped with simple finials, complete the composition with quiet elegance. The jars symmetry and timeless sophistication exemplify the finest of Wedgwood & Bentley’s basalt ware. Marks: The rare Wedgwood & Bentley Etruria mark, which was used from 1769 to 1780, is marked on the undersides of each jar. Dimensions: 8.75" tall, tall x 3.5" diameter and 5" across the handles Condition: Excellent Price: $5,200 Background of Wedgwood & Bentley: Josiah Wedgwood and Thomas Bentley, a savvy businessman, formed the partnership Wedgwood & Bentley in 1769. This collaboration marked a transformative period in English ceramics, driven by innovation, quality, and refined aesthetics. One of their most celebrated achievements was the production of black basalt, a fine-grained stoneware developed by Wedgwood one year before in 1768. The material was prized for its rich, matte black surface, which provided an ideal canvas for intricate designs. Black basalt was inspired by the classical forms and deep hues of Etruscan pottery, an essential influence during England's 18th-century Neoclassical revival. The partnership focused on producing elegant and artistic wares, including vases, busts, and decorative objects, often modeled on ancient Etruscan, Greek, and Roman motifs. Black basalt was immediately popular. In 1774, Josiah Wedgwood wrote this praise of black basalt: "The Black is sterling & will last for ever."
  • Creator:
    Wedgwood & Bentley (Manufacturer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 8.75 in (22.23 cm)Width: 5 in (12.7 cm)Depth: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Style:
    Neoclassical (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1775
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    Katonah, NY
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: SKU000011771stDibs: LU866543366362

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