Exquisite c.1920 Wedgwood Jasperware Kidney-Shaped Trinket Box

Details

Description

A captivating treasure from the golden age of Wedgwood craftsmanship, this fine jasperware trinket box embodies the romantic spirit of … Read more A captivating treasure from the golden age of Wedgwood craftsmanship, this fine jasperware trinket box embodies the romantic spirit of the 1920s while showcasing the timeless "Classical" pattern that has enchanted collectors for generations. This isn't merely a storage vessel—it's a miniature theater of mythological delight, where cupids dance eternally in white relief against the signature Wedgwood blue.
The Artistry
Classical Pattern Excellence
The kidney-shaped form serves as an elegant canvas for Wedgwood's beloved "Classical" pattern, featuring joyous scenes of cupids and putti engaged in their eternal play. Each cherubic figure is rendered with the exquisite detail that made Wedgwood the choice of discerning collectors worldwide.
Botanical Flourishes
Delicate sprays of leaves and ornamental flourishes frame each mythological scene, creating a sophisticated border that demonstrates the designer's understanding of classical proportion and balance. These botanical elements add layers of visual interest while maintaining the overall harmony of the composition.
The Dancing Graces
The pièce de résistance crowns the lid—a lovely tableau of three ladies dancing in graceful unity, their flowing robes captured in pristine white jasper relief. This grouping evokes the classical Three Graces, symbolizing beauty, charm, and joy—perfect sentiments for a lady's most treasured possessions.
Specifications

Era: c.1920, representing jasperware's inter-war renaissance
Dimensions: Approximately 3.5" wide × 4" tall—an ideal size for dressing table or vanity
Function: Perfect for jewelry, powder, or other precious trinkets
Condition: Excellent, near mint condition with exceptional clarity and cleanliness
Pattern: "Classical" with cupids, botanical flourishes, and dancing figures

The Science Behind the Beauty: Understanding Jasperware
Named after the mineral jasper purely for marketing appeal, Wedgwood's jasperware represents one of ceramic history's most closely guarded secrets. While the exact formula remains confidential even today, 19th-century analysis revealed the ingenious composition that creates jasperware's unique properties.
The Revolutionary Formula
Jasperware's distinctive character comes from its remarkable composition, analyzed in the 19th century as approximately 57% barium sulphate, 29% ball clay, 10% flint, and 4% barium carbonate. The barium sulphate, sourced as "cawk" or "heavy-spar" from Derbyshire lead mines, served as the crucial fluxing agent that allowed the clay to achieve its characteristic density and finish.
The Color Palette of Excellence
While the fired body emerges naturally white, Wedgwood's mastery of metallic oxides created the iconic color range that defines jasperware. The beloved pale blue comes from cobalt oxide, while sage green derives from chromium oxide, lilac from manganese oxide, and the rare yellow from antimony salts. Black jasperware owes its depth to iron oxide, each color carefully calibrated to achieve the perfect saturation and permanence.
Solid vs. Dipped: The Evolution of Economy and Art
The earliest jasperware was "solid"—colored throughout the entire clay body, creating pieces of extraordinary richness and depth. However, by 1777, the prohibitive cost of cobalt at 36 shillings per pound forced innovation. Wedgwood introduced "dipping," where only the surface received coloration, dramatically reducing costs while maintaining visual impact.
This economic evolution tells the story of jasperware's democratization. After production virtually ceased by 1829, the 1844 revival focused on dipped wares, making beautiful jasperware accessible to a broader market. Solid jasper didn't return until 1860, reserved for the most prestigious pieces.
The Lapidary's Touch
In the finest early pieces, including treasures like this 1920s box, the relief work received the attention of skilled lapidaries who refined each figure with careful tooling and undercutting. This additional craftsmanship created the sharp detail and dimensional quality that distinguishes superior jasperware from ordinary production.
A Lady's Companion
This kidney-shaped box represents jasperware's return to prominence in the 1920s, when post-war society embraced both classical beauty and modern functionality. The graceful curves of the kidney shape echo the period's appreciation for organic forms, while the mythological subjects speak to the era's romantic sensibilities.
Imagine this elegant box gracing a lady's dressing table, holding her most precious jewelry or finest face powder. The dancing figures on the lid would catch the morning light, while the playful cupids around the sides would bring daily joy to the ritual of adorning oneself for the day ahead.
A Testament to Timeless Craftsmanship
In an age of mass production, this box stands as a reminder of when even the most functional objects were created with artistic integrity. The near-mint condition speaks to the care it has received from previous owners who understood its significance—a tradition of stewardship that the next collector will surely continue.
For the discerning collector who appreciates the intersection of classical beauty, technical innovation, and feminine elegance, this jasperware treasure offers daily delight wrapped in centuries of ceramic mastery. See less