Minton Manufactory, Jardinière with grotesque decoration, late 19th century, glazed ceramic, Stoke-on-Trent, England

Urn in the shape of an ancient krater with a turquoise-blue body, evoking the Greco-Roman world. The body’s decoration, inspired by the same source, features scrolling foliage reminiscent of the cups from the Boscoreale treasure now housed in the Louvre (though only discovered in 1895). Between the scrolls, the model’s creator has placed masks of Greek tragedy or comedy, with highly exaggerated and grotesque expressions.

The lower part of the body is adorned with fluting and rests on a footed base with a string of pearls, fluting, and other Neo-Antique ornamental friezes. The color palette is unmistakably that of Minton, with a turquoise-blue glaze on the exterior, mustard yellow, pale green, and natural tones used to render the ram’s head handles. The refined execution of the motifs is also typical of the craftsmanship of the Stoke-on-Trent manufactory.