Description
Wedgwood Egyptian Collection Black Basalt Plate with Terracotta Relief, Ba Bird Motif, England Circa 1978–1986
A striking and highly decorative Wedgwood Egyptian Collection plate, executed in black basalt with contrasting terracotta relief, produced in England between 1978 and 1986. This piece reflects Wedgwood’s long tradition of reinterpreting ancient motifs through refined ceramic craftsmanship, combining classical material with the visual language of ancient Egypt.
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 Symbolism
The plate features a matte black basalt ground, a material first perfected by Josiah Wedgwood in the 18th century, prized for its rich tone and ability to evoke the appearance of ancient carved stone. Against this dark surface, the warm terracotta relief—often referred to as rosso antico—creates a vivid and sculptural contrast.
At the center is a finely modeled Ba bird, depicted as a human-headed bird holding a stylized scepter. In ancient Egyptian belief, the Ba represented the soul or spiritual essence of an individual, capable of moving between the earthly and spiritual realms. This central motif gives the piece a deeper symbolic resonance beyond its decorative appeal.
Encircling the border is a rhythmic arrangement of alternating rosettes and small figural elements inspired by Egyptian and classical iconography. These include stylized creatures and symbolic forms that echo the visual language found in temple reliefs and tomb decoration, reinterpreted through Wedgwood’s distinctive sprigging technique. The result is both structured and ornamental, with a balance between repetition and narrative detail.
Context and Production
Wedgwood’s Egyptian Collection was introduced in the late 1970s, following renewed global fascination with ancient Egypt sparked by major exhibitions of Tutankhamun’s treasures. Produced approximately between 1978 and 1986, the series represents a distinctive moment in Wedgwood’s history when historical revival, design, and craftsmanship converged.
The underside bears the impressed WEDGWOOD © / MADE IN ENGLAND mark, consistent with this production period. Unlike earlier basalt wares, these later pieces were designed as decorative objects, often intended for display rather than functional table use, and are now appreciated for their bold graphic quality and thematic coherence.
The plate is in excellent vintage condition, with no chips, cracks, or restoration observed. The relief elements remain crisp, and the surface retains its original matte finish with only minimal signs of age. Its scale and strong visual contrast make it particularly effective as a display piece, whether wall-mounted or presented on a stand.
