A WEDGWOOD BLACK AND WHITE JAPSER 'PEGASUS' VASE AND COVER 19TH CENTURY

the black jasper dip ovoid body decorated in white relief with the Apotheosis of Virgil after John Flaxman, the shoulder with snake handles above Medusa masks, the domed cover with Pegasus form knop, all raised on a canted square pedestal base supported by griffins, impressed marks WEDGWOOD.  Minor firing related tears to base, one wing reglued.

The griffins' ears on the square pedestal base have been chipped. The first griffin has a re-glued wing, the second griffin's proper left leg has been restored, the third griffin has a chip to its proper right eyebrow and eye and has a restored wing. There is some old dried glue on the egg and dart molded border above the fourth griffin. There is a horizontal firing tear running around the base of the neck where it meets the shoulder of the vase and there are a number of minor, short, fine haircracks to the rim extending vertically into the neck. Otherwise the vase and cover are in good condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The original vase depicting the 'Apotheosis of Virgil,' modeled after Flaxman's bas-relief completed in 1785, was listed in Wedgwood's catalogue of 1787 and produced in 1790 as a companion piece to the same 'Pegasus' vase depicting the 'Apotheosis of Homer,' completed in 1786.

A similar vase is illustrated by Aileen Dawson, Masterpieces of Wedgwood in the British Museum, London, 1984, pp. 102-111