Description
Wedgwood Egyptian Collection Jasperware Square Vase Black & Terracotta Sphinx Motif 1970s
This Wedgwood Egyptian Collection jasperware vase presents a compact and architectural interpretation of Egyptian revival design, defined by its square section form and restrained use of symbolic relief. Executed in black jasperware with applied terracotta decoration, the vase features a repeating arrangement of stylized palm fronds, floral rosettes, and sphinx figures, each element placed with deliberate spacing across the faceted surfaces. The collection is documented within the original Wedgwood Egyptian Collection brochure (late 1970s), which outlines the materials, design themes, and coordinated structure of the series.
The Egyptian Collection was developed during a renewed period of fascination with ancient Egypt in the late 20th century, when major museum exhibitions brought Egyptian art and symbolism back into public focus. Wedgwood translated these historical motifs into its own material language, using jasperware and basalt to emphasize clarity, proportion, and surface contrast rather than literal reproduction.
Unlike the gilt-decorated basalt examples produced alongside it, this jasperware version relies entirely on the contrast between matte black ground and applied terracotta relief. This approach removes reflectivity and allows the decoration to emerge through shadow and form, giving the piece a more sculptural presence.
Form and Material
The vase is formed with a square, slightly tapering body rising to a narrow neck and flared rim. Each face acts as an individual panel, allowing the decorative motifs to be read sequentially as the object is turned. This faceted structure gives the piece a more architectural character compared to the rounded versions in the same collection.
Jasperware is an unglazed stoneware with a matte surface that absorbs light. Wedgwood forms the body in black jasper and applies the terracotta elements separately, creating a layered surface where relief is defined through depth and shadow rather than gloss.
Egyptian Revival Motifs
The decorative program combines palm fronds, rosettes, and sphinx figures—motifs associated with regeneration, structure, and guardianship in Egyptian visual language. The sphinx, depicted in a compact and stylized form, serves as a protective symbol, while the palms introduce rhythm and repetition across the upper register.
Rather than centering on a single dominant scene, the design distributes meaning across the surface, reinforcing the balance and restraint characteristic of the Egyptian Collection.
Condition
The vase remains in good vintage condition with no cracks or structural damage. The matte surface retains its consistency, and the applied terracotta relief is intact and well-defined. There is minor wear consistent with age and handling.
The impressed Wedgwood mark is present on the underside. The date mark is partially visible but not fully legible, consistent with production within the late 1970s Egyptian Collection.
