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Herculaneum Blue Printed Dish, Neo-Classical Greek Design, 1810

About the Item

Chariots of the Gods: A Herculaneum Neo-classical ‘Greek Pattern’ Dish Liverpool, England, Early 19th Century This impressive oval dish is a masterwork of the Greek Revival style, produced by the Herculaneum Pottery during the height of the Neoclassical movement. The composition is famously complex, featuring a series of mythological vignettes that encircle a central oval panel filled with a delicate leafy vine. Two primary scenes dominate the well of the dish: one depicts a dramatic encounter with winged griffins attacking a woman in a chariot, while the other shows an exceptionally rare rendering of three women being drawn in a majestic chariot by five spirited horses. These central figures are flanked by various other classical subjects, creating a visual feast that rewarded the diner as each layer of food was removed. The border of the dish is as architecturally sound as the scenes are mythological, featuring a bold and distinctive Greek Key (Meander) design that provides a rigid, geometric frame for the fluid central imagery. Set within this border are six unique oval panels, each containing a different Neoclassical design, further emphasizing the "encyclopedic" nature of the pattern. The deep cobalt-blue transfer is crisp and richly inked, a hallmark of the high-quality earthenware production that allowed the Herculaneum factory to compete with the leading Staffordshire houses of the day. Measurements & Condition Length: 12 3/4 inches (32.4 cm) Width: 9 1/2 inches (24.1 cm) Height: 1 1/4 inches (3.2 cm) Condition The dish is in good antique condition, exhibiting strong, vibrant color throughout the transfer. There is a single, tiny "frit" or minor glaze flake to the rim at the 2 o'clock position, which is quite common for pearlware of this age and does not detract from the overall display quality of the piece. Provenance Private Collection. Historical Context: The Hamilton Vases and Liverpool Craftsmanship The "Greek" pattern was first introduced around 1806, directly catering to a British public captivated by the excavations of the ancient world. The specific imagery used by the Herculaneum factory was lifted from one of the most important art-historical publications of the era: “Outlines from the Figures and Compositions upon the Greek, Roman and Etruscan Vases of the late Sir William Hamilton,” featuring engravings by Mr. Kirk. Sir William Hamilton’s collection was so influential that it fundamentally changed British taste, moving it away from the floral "Rococo" and toward the clean, heroic lines of the ancient Mediterranean. Herculaneum, named after the ancient city buried by Mount Vesuvius, was particularly adept at these subjects. Established in 1796 in Liverpool, the factory was unique in its location and its ability to produce refined earthenwares that rivaled those of Josiah Wedgwood and Spode. This dish is a significant example of their "multi-scene" approach, where the various panels provided a narrative journey through classical history, effectively serving as a conversation piece for the highly educated Georgian dinner table. (VM98379)

Creator:
Herculaneum Pottery (Manufacturer)
Dimensions:
Height: 1.25 in (3.18 cm)Width: 12.75 in (32.39 cm)Depth: 9.5 in (24.13 cm)
Style:
Neoclassical (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Pearlware,Pottery
Period:
Early 18th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1810
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Good with a tiny frit to the rim at 2 o'clock.
Seller Location:
Downingtown, PA
Reference Number:
Seller: VM983791stDibs: LU861027462662