The gracefully swelling form of Wedgwood's flat topped ewers is ornamented by a series of large-scaled and carefully detailed cupid-like figures carrying symbolic objects or playing musical instruments. The winged boys are more individually portrayed than most neoclassical style figures, and each exhibits a good deal of personality and charm. Clearly they are all having a good time.

Beneath the figures are groups of objects or "trophies" separated by fretwork devices. The grape vine detail on the simple handle suggests vintage wine and may give a clue to the jovial mood of the piece.

The importance of this design to Wedgwood is demonstrated by its inclusion in the factory's display at the Great Exhibition of 1851, better known as the Crystal Palace Exhibition, the history-making forerunner of the world's fair tradition. Our final image reproduces a catalog page from the exhibit; the ewer is shown upper right.

The figures derive from a wax relief tablet--based on an ancient model--by Guiseppe Angelini, an Italian sculptor at work in England in the 1770's and 80's. The piece bears the unwieldy title "Several Geniuses Representing the Pleasures of the Elysian Fields." The objects carried by the winged spirits (or "geniuses") represent the joys of eternal afterlife in the Elysian Fields, the sort of "happy hunting ground" of the ancient Greeks, where heroes and others favored by the gods could escape the gloom of Hades.