Lot Essay
The design for these ewers was executed by the celebrated sculptor John Flaxman (1755-1826) who produced designs for Josiah Wedgwood and the Royal goldsmiths Rundell, Bridge and Rundell. Wedgwood copied plaster models provided by Flaxman which are preserved in the Wedgewood Museum. It is thought that Flaxman was inspired by French 18th century neo-classical work such as that by Clodion (1738-1814). Solid blue jasper Wedgewood examples with cast decoration in white relief, from the Felix Joseph Collection, Castle Museum, Nottingham, were exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, John Flaxman R. A., 1979, no. 19b