Description
Wedgwood Egyptian Collection Jasperware Vases Black & Terracotta Pair Lyre & Palm Motif 1978
This pair of Wedgwood Egyptian Collection jasperware vases presents a balanced and architectural interpretation of Egyptian revival design, intended to function together rather than as individual objects. Executed in black jasperware with applied terracotta relief, each vase features a repeating arrangement of stylized palm fronds and lyre-form elements, with smaller symbolic motifs placed rhythmically around the body. The collection is documented within the original Wedgwood Egyptian Collection brochure (1978), which outlines the materials, design themes, and coordinated structure of the series.
Unlike the gilt-decorated basalt examples produced alongside it, these jasperware versions rely entirely on the contrast between matte black ground and applied terracotta relief. The absence of reflective surface emphasizes form, proportion, and repetition, allowing the decorative elements to read as part of a continuous visual rhythm rather than isolated ornament.
Form and Material
Each vase is formed with a flared rim and gently tapering body, rising from a stepped circular base. The silhouette is simple but deliberate, widening at the top to create a sense of openness while maintaining stability through the base.
Jasperware is a dense, unglazed stoneware with a matte finish that absorbs light. Wedgwood forms the vessels in black jasper and applies the terracotta relief elements separately, producing a layered surface where decoration reads through depth and shadow. This method, refined since the 18th century, allows for consistent detailing while preserving the integrity of the form.
As a pair, the vases establish symmetry and spacing. Their value lies not only in the individual forms, but in how they relate to each other—framing, balancing, and anchoring a surface or display.
Egyptian Revival Motifs
The decorative program combines stylized palm elements with lyre-like forms that echo classical and Egyptian hybrid ornament. The palm motif, associated with life and regeneration, appears along the upper register, while the lyre form introduces a structured, almost architectural counterpoint below.
Smaller motifs, including simplified figures and symbolic elements, are distributed around the body, reinforcing the sense of continuity across the surface. This approach reflects the broader design language of the Egyptian Collection, where repetition and restraint replace overt complexity.
Rather than centering on a single dominant figure, these vases rely on rhythm—an arrangement of forms that becomes more apparent when viewed as a pair.
Condition
Both vases remain in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks. The matte surfaces retain their consistency, and the applied terracotta relief is intact and well-defined on both pieces. There is minor wear consistent with age and handling.
The impressed Wedgwood marks are present on the undersides, with date code “78,” confirming production in 1978.
