Magnificent Wedgwood Blue Jasperware Augurs Bowl - A Vessel of Ancient Ritual and Timeless Beauty

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Behold a truly exceptional piece that bridges the sacred rituals of ancient Rome with the artistic mastery of English ceramics. … Read more Behold a truly exceptional piece that bridges the sacred rituals of ancient Rome with the artistic mastery of English ceramics. This substantial Wedgwood blue jasperware Augurs Bowl stands as both a testament to classical reverence and a masterpiece of neoclassical design, embodying centuries of spiritual tradition within the elegant "Imperial" shape that commands attention and respect.
The Sacred Heritage: Understanding the Augur's Role
In the marble halls and sacred precincts of ancient Rome, the augur held one of the most revered positions in society—part priest, part prophet, part guardian of divine will. These distinguished officials practiced the ancient art of augury, interpreting the gods' intentions through the mystical language of birds in flight.
The Art of Divine Interpretation
The augur's sacred duty involved reading the celestial signs with extraordinary precision: observing whether birds flew in formation or solitary, listening to their calls and cries, noting their species and flight patterns, and determining the cardinal directions of their passage. Every wing beat, every cry, every turn in the sky carried potential messages from the divine realm.
The Ritual of Auspices
This profound practice, known as "taking the auspices," required not only spiritual sensitivity but also ceremonial vessels worthy of such sacred communication. Augurs bowls like this magnificent piece served as ritual crucibles where prayers and offerings were burned, their smoke carrying mortal petitions skyward while creating a conduit for divine response.
The Imperial Presence
Commanding Proportions
This exceptional bowl embodies the "Imperial" shape designation with authority and grace. Measuring 9 inches at the rim's lip, expanding to 10 inches at its widest embrace, and standing a majestic 6.25 inches tall, it possesses the substantial presence befitting its ceremonial heritage.
Classical Decoration
Adorned in Wedgwood's beloved "Classical" style, the bowl features the white jasper relief work that has captivated collectors for over two centuries. The mythological figures and ornamental motifs dance across the signature blue ground, each element carefully positioned to create harmonious composition worthy of divine attention.
Museum-Quality Condition
In excellent condition with no damage or wear, this bowl retains the pristine beauty that speaks to careful stewardship through the generations. The crisp detail of the relief work and the lustrous finish of the jasper body demonstrate the enduring quality that made Wedgwood the choice of discerning collectors worldwide.
The Jasperware Legacy: Science Meets Art
The Mysterious Formula
While Wedgwood's exact jasperware formula remains one of ceramics' most closely guarded secrets, 19th-century analysis revealed the ingenious composition that creates this extraordinary medium. The revolutionary blend of approximately 57% barium sulphate, 29% ball clay, 10% flint, and 4% barium carbonate created a ceramic body unlike any other.
Local Resources, Global Impact
The key ingredient, barium sulphate known as "cawk" or "heavy-spar," came from the lead mines of nearby Derbyshire, transforming a regional by-product into the foundation of international ceramic excellence. This fluxing agent enabled the unique properties that make jasperware both durable and beautiful.
The Palette of Perfection
Though the fired body emerges naturally white, Wedgwood's mastery of metallic oxides created the iconic color spectrum that defines jasperware. The beloved blue of this bowl comes from cobalt oxide, carefully calibrated to achieve the perfect saturation that has become synonymous with English elegance. Other colors in the jasperware family include sage green from chromium oxide, lilac from manganese oxide, the rare yellow from antimony salts, and deep black from iron oxide.
Evolution of Technique: Solid to Dipped
The earliest jasperware was "solid"—colored throughout the entire clay body, creating pieces of extraordinary richness. However, the prohibitive cost of cobalt at 36 shillings per pound necessitated innovation. By 1777, Wedgwood introduced "dipping," where only the surface received coloration, making these masterpieces more accessible while maintaining their visual impact.
This economic evolution tells the story of jasperware's journey from aristocratic luxury to broader appreciation. After production nearly ceased by 1829, the 1844 revival focused on dipped wares, democratizing beauty without compromising quality. Solid jasper returned in 1860 for the most prestigious pieces.
The Lapidary's Refinement
In the finest pieces, skilled lapidaries refined the relief work with careful tooling and undercutting, creating the sharp definition and dimensional quality that distinguishes superior jasperware. This additional craftsmanship elevated functional objects into works of art worthy of the most discerning collectors.
A Bridge Between Worlds
This Augurs Bowl represents more than ceramic artistry—it embodies humanity's eternal desire to connect with the divine through beautiful objects. Whether displayed as a centerpiece commanding admiration or used in contemporary ritual practice, it carries within its elegant form the weight of centuries of spiritual seeking.
The "Imperial" shape speaks to the grandeur of Roman ceremony, while the "Classical" decoration celebrates the mythological heritage that inspired both ancient augurs and 18th-century neoclassical artists. In Wedgwood's hands, these influences merged to create objects that transcend mere functionality, becoming vessels for contemplation and connection.
A Collector's Dream
For the serious collector, this bowl represents jasperware at its most magnificent—substantial in size, perfect in condition, and rich in historical significance. It stands as a testament to Wedgwood's ability to transform ancient inspiration into timeless beauty, creating objects that speak across centuries to those who appreciate the marriage of spiritual heritage and artistic excellence.
This exceptional piece awaits a collector who understands that the finest objects serve not just as decoration, but as bridges between past and present, between the earthly and the divine, between the functional and the transcendent. See less