The straight sides of the "Upright" shape provide a clean, undistorted field for Wedgwood's classical reliefs. Draped female figures flank a pedestal and statue of cupid on one side and a flaming, smoking sacrificial altar on the other. The stag accompanying one figure identifies her as the goddess Diana. Otherwise, the rich crimson ground is interrupted only by the grapevine border and the wreaths at the joins of the rope form handle.

Even fairly common Wedgwood shapes are made memorable when they appear in crimson. Reliefs aside, the expanse of rich wine color is the primary attraction of the jug. Surely, even if its difficult, limited production had not made crimson jasper a rarity, it would have demanded special status based simply on its sensuous beauty.