Object Description
A late 18th / early 19th century framed Wedgwood black basalt plaque depicting ‘The Death of Meleager’ also known as ‘The Death of a Roman Warrior’. Impressed with maker’s mark to plaque reverse.
Wedgwood first began creating black basalt wares in 1768. This dense and fine-grained stoneware was designed to imitate old bronze statues and remains to this day synonymous with fine quality.
This plaque appears in the company’s 1773 catalogue. While the design continued to be made into the 19th century, this Wedgwood plaque was infrequently attempted due to firing challenges made difficult by the plaque’s elaborate detail and scale.
This antique black basalt plaque is an excellent example of Wedgwood wares, depicting ‘The Death of Meleager’ in exceptional detail. It is set into an oak frame with blank brass plate.
The Death of a Roman Warrior
This plaque is taken from a panel found on a sarcophagus in the Albani Collection which now resides in the Capitoline Museum, Rome. It depicts the body of the warrior Meleager being carried by Roman soldiers in relief.
According to legend, Meleager was involved in several heroic exploits, one of the most notable begin the Calydonian boar hunt. At birth, Meleager’s mother was told that her son would die as soon as a particular log in her fire had burned away. Following a quarrel with his Uncle’s after the hunt, Meleager’s mother threw the log onto the fire and Meleager died.
Additional Dimensions
Inner sight: H26 x W47.5 cm