Figures of the classical muses, separated by trees, provide the principal decoration of these spill vases in Wedgwood's relatively scarce combination of black on buff yellow. Above a classical scrolled border completes the composition.

White horizontal bands of at the foot and bordering the upper border--merely the white body allowed to emerge from the yellow dip layer--add a particularly effective contrast to the black relief.

Muses depicted are:

Urania, muse of astronomy (shown with the celestial globe and compasses used by astronomers; modeller unknown)

Terpsicore, muse of choral dance ( shown with a lyre and plectrum; originally modeled by John Flaxman 1776/77)

Euterpe, muse of lyric poetry (shown with tibiae or pipes; originally modeled by John Flaxman)

Melpomene, muse of tragedy (shown holding a tragic mask and the club of Hercules; originally modeled by John Flaxman)