With a purity of form that reveals a neoclassical influence, the ornamentation of this eighteenth century egg cup is limited to only three contrasting borders. The top rim bears a row formed by two continuous interlocking bands (the 'guilloche" border) set between narrow raised bands. Borders at the edge of the the foot and base of the cup are based on leaf forms--the spiky forms of the latter extend part way up the cup itself.

The simplicity of the design places emphasis on the beauty of the jasper body itself and invites a touch to appreciate the silky texture characteristic of early jasper surfaces.

Robin Reilly in Wedgwood: The New illustrated Dictionary (p.144)  notes that the first egg cups made by Wedgwood were in Queen's Ware and date as early as 1765. He also illustrates eight jasper egg cups of our design grouped on a coordinating footed jasper tray, dated c. 1790.