The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-02-01
The Portland Vase.

The famous Portland vase. the finest
example of ancient art of its kind has
had an eventful history. Discovered in
sepulchral vault near Rome, its origin
has never been satisfactorily explained;
even the meaning OF the wonderful fig
ures with which II is decorated puzzling
the archaeologists of today as much as
thy did those OF the preceding genera
tions.
After its discovery the vase was de-
posted in the library of the Barberini
palace at Rome. After remaining there a
century II passed into the hands OF Byres.
the antiquary. who sold il TO Sir William
Hamilton. Sir William subsequently, dis
posed OF II TO the Duchess OF Portland.
Shortly after the death OF the Duchess.
In 1855, the vase. together with the rest
or her magnificent collection of anti
quaries and objects OF vertu. was sold
under the hammer. According 10 levitt.
the Duke OF Portland and Josiah wedg-
WOOD were equally anxious 20 possess this
precious gem. Between them they ran
the price up 10 about $1,000. when the
Duke, learning Wedgwoods anxiety TO
purchase IL was due TO n desire 10 make
copy, offered TO lend him tho vase if he
would not compete at the sale This the
famous potter agreed to. and the vase
was accordingly knocked down 70 the
Duke for E1029. He at once handed II 10
Wedgwood. who for the next three years
was hard at work experimenting with a
view TO its reproduction.
No work OF antiquity has been more
copied than the Portland vase. SAYS a
writer in the Pail Mall Gazette; or. speak
Ing generally. considering the many
hideous Improved" reproductions. per-
haps one should say burlesqued In ono
OF these copies" the figures have been
nicely draped.
As matter OF fact. the only copies
worthy Of the name-excepting the one
made by Mr.. Northwood-are those pro-
duced by Josiah wedgewood in his ia
nous Jasper ware. The number OF re-
plcas was originally TO have been 80 but
II r. doubtful whether even 20 were made.
These were OF various degrees OF merit.
Some of the best wero finished by hand
work. and were sold az 20 guiness each.
They now fetch very high prices. A ;he
sale OF the ,Martneau collection a fine
specimen realized G2a4 and another sold
IN the same year for e1Se. The modern
copies. however are OF no particular
value.
Mr.. Northwood's fac-simile. which was
exhibited az the Paris exhibition I'm 1879.
Is the only one In glass. The vase. with
It's intense blue body and coating or
white. was manufactured by Mr. Par
geter. OF Stoutbridge on this. for six
hours day. and sometimes longer. the
artist cut and carved for three whole
years. When ~ is remembered that the
accidental breaking on OF a tiny piece.
no bigger than a pins head. might spoil
the whole work, ono II lost in admiration
az The skill and patience displayed
shortly before II was finished an accident
almost wrecked the vase while I'm the
artists own hands. ~ cracked spon-
tqncously. rs glass sometimes will Do.
through uncdualci thickness and cOnse-
ouent unequal expansion ana contraction
az changes of temperature. Nevertheless.
tfis magnificent conv remains sn ec-
ouisite work OF art and ffonu-
mont 20 the skill and patience ~ The ar
list.