Description
Wedgwood Egyptian Collection Black Basalt Lidded Box with Gilded Ankhesenamun Profile, England 1978
A finely detailed Wedgwood Egyptian Collection lidded box, executed in black basalt with gilt relief, produced in England in 1978. Designed as a companion to the Tutankhamun portrait box from the same series, this piece reflects Wedgwood’s interpretation of ancient Egyptian royal imagery during a period of renewed fascination with the subject.
This piece is documented within the original Wedgwood Egyptian Collection brochure (1978), which outlines the materials, design themes, and structure of the series.
Design and Artistic Detail
The box is formed in Wedgwood’s classic black basalt body, an unglazed ceramic material first developed in the 18th century and valued for its dense structure and stone-like appearance. The matte black surface provides a dramatic contrast to the applied gold decoration, emphasizing the precision and clarity of the relief work.
The lid features a finely modeled gilded profile of Ankhesenamun, the queen and consort of Tutankhamun. She is shown in profile wearing a royal headdress with a raised uraeus and an elaborately detailed broad collar. In her hand she holds a stylized lotus-form element, a motif associated with rebirth and renewal in ancient Egyptian symbolism. The composition reflects the visual language found in tomb paintings and gilded shrine panels, translated into Wedgwood’s distinctive decorative format.
The use of gold on black basalt was a deliberate design choice, echoing the rich contrast of materials seen in ancient Egyptian funerary objects. The restrained circular form allows the portrait to remain the central focus, giving the piece both sculptural clarity and decorative presence.
Context and Production
Wedgwood’s Egyptian Collection was introduced in the late 1970s, following widespread public interest in the treasures of Tutankhamun exhibited internationally. The series represents a distinct design direction for Wedgwood, combining its historic basalt tradition with Egyptian revival themes.
The underside bears the impressed WEDGWOOD / MADE IN ENGLAND mark along with the number “78,”indicating production in 1978. A small gilt “J” is present and is consistent with a decorator’s mark, identifying the artisan responsible for the applied gold detailing.
The box is in excellent vintage condition, with no chips, cracks, or restoration observed. The gilded decoration remains well preserved, and the surface retains its original matte finish. Both decorative and functional, it may be used as a small trinket or jewelry box while also serving as a sculptural display object.
