Rare Wedgwood 1976 Gilded Jasperware Portland Vase - Discontinued Ceramic Vase

**Historical Origins | The Legacy of Portland Vase** The original Portland Vase, a masterpiece of Roman cameo glass from the early 1st century AD, is now housed in Gallery 70 of the British Museum and is hailed as "the most perfect glass vessel in the world." Its deep blue body is adorned with pure white reliefs depicting the wedding scene of Peleus and Thetis from mythology, symbolizing the union of man and god, and the harmony of reason and beauty. In the 18th century, Josiah Wedgwood studied a replica of the original from 1786. After four years of repeated experimentation, he successfully recreated the composition and spirit of the work using his own Jasperware, marking a highly symbolic revival of antiquity in Western ceramic history. ________________________________________ **Contemporary Legacy** The Portland Vase, recreated by Wedgwood in Jasperware in the 18th century, became a symbol of the company. In 1976, to celebrate Wedgwood's 200th anniversary, this blue-ground Portland Vase was specially produced, hand-gilded with 23K gold by a senior British gilder. The figures in the scene are rendered with lifelike expressions and classical elegance. The details of the leaves and the folds of the drapery have been meticulously polished, gleaming with gold. The relief layers are distinct, showcasing the Wedgwood workshop's ultimate tribute to classical aesthetics. ________________________________________ **Gilding Process** This vase employs the authentic hand-gilding technique: meticulously painted by a senior gilder, with 23K pure gold delicately outlining the entire relief scene, allowing the gold surface and the crystalline body to fuse. The gilding process is like calligraphy, with unbroken lines drawn in a single stroke, uncorrectable, requiring completion in one go. This process demands extreme precision, especially in the curves of the figures' limbs, faces, and the lines of natural foliage. Any slight deviation necessitates starting over, resulting in a very low yield. After completion, it is finely polished to preserve the original three-dimensional quality of the relief, a testament to the artist's decades of training and precise hand control. ________________________________________ **Collection and Display Value | More Than a Vase** This vase is not merely a crystallization of historical art reproduction; it is a spatial artwork that profoundly showcases the owner's aesthetic taste. Whether placed in a residential foyer, a club entrance, a study alcove, or a public space, it naturally becomes the visual and spiritual focal point of the entire environment. The contrast between the tranquility of the blue ground and the brilliance of the gold creates a solemn yet magnificent effect, while the interwoven figures and foliage generate a rich narrative rhythm. For collectors who value cultural depth and aesthetic refinement, this vase embodies ancient Roman mythological imagery, English neoclassical ceramics, and modern hand-gilding craftsmanship. It is not just a decorative vase but a piece of decorative art imbued with the spirit of its era. It represents the owner's understanding of historical art, their command of life's tastes, and their respect for the heritage of artistic craftsmanship. As the renowned auction house Sotheby's stated: "Masterpieces are not decorations. They are declarations." ________________________________________ **Specifications** • Brand | Wedgwood, England • Material | Blue Jasperware • Dimensions | Height 15.5cm x Diameter 11cm • Craftsmanship | Fully hand-sculpted relief; figures, plants, and architecture meticulously hand-painted with 23K pure gold. • Year | Made in 1976 • Condition | Brand new, with gift box packaging. Complete base markings: "WEDGWOOD / MADE IN ENGLAND / 1976" imprint.