Exceptionally Rare First Edition Early 19th Century Jasper Wedgwood Portland Vase. This is one of the original 47 Portland vases made by Josiah Wedgwood between 1790 and 1837. Decorated bottom. Dark blue jasper. Early 19th century. Applied white classical figures in relief. Two handled design. Depicts what appears to be a scene from Greek mythology or daily life in ancient Greece, showing figures that could be interpreted as either gods or humans interacting around a tree. 

Images included in the lot of information on the vase, the provenance, postcards from the Buten Museum of Wedgwood (where this vase was) a book from the Buten Museum and a book about Wedgwood. 

Provenance: Dr. Goodman bought the vase in the early 1950's in London. He then put it on loan to the Buten Musem in Pennsylvania. Dr. Goodman sold the vase to Robert Throckmorton in January of 1970 - provided that it stayed on loan to the Buten Museum. The Buten Museum closed in 1988. Mr. Throckmorton took the Portland Vase and sold it to Dr. Rodney Tillman in December of 1988. This vase remained in the private collection of Nationally Recognized Antique Dealer Rodney Tillman until his death in 2014. His son is putting this on the public market for the first time since the early 1950's. 

Condition: Commensurate with age. 

Size: 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 x 10 1/4 in. 

#1 #3403 . 

The original Greco-Roman Portland vase was made from cameo glass in the first century CE. In 1786, the Duke of Portland lent it to Josiah Wedgwood, who then had his artists copy it and manufacture meticulous replicas. Early versions of the vase cracked in the firing process or failed to achieve the final look that was wanted. His artisans struggled for 4 years to perfect the vase, developing a blue-black clay to evoke the dark opaque glass of the original. The Portland Vase First Editions are regarded as one of the greatest ceramic accomplishments of the 18th century, and they are a testament to the superior skill of Josiah Wedgwood, his extraordinary ambition and his tireless dedication to perfection.

Commensurate with age.