Austerity in both shape and decoration enhances the dramatic impact of this substantial black jasper dip vase. The shape recalls that of the famous "Portland Vase," but is rendered more simple by the elimination of handles. Five figures of muses are presented in stark array, accompanied only by tree and foliage groups at the sides.

Three muses appear on the front of the vase: Urania, muse of astronomy; Calliope, muse of epic poetry; and Euterpe, muse of lyric poetry. The reverse features Terpsichore, muse of choral dance, and Melpomene, muse of tragedy.

Various combinations of the nine muses--with or without Apollo--appear as Wedgwood relief subjects from the eighteenth into the twentieth centuries. While they may seem anonymous to the modern viewer, classically educated collectors would have identified the figures by the symbolic objects or attributes they carry.

The attributes appearing in this depiction are: the celestial globe (for Urania, muse of astronomy); a roll of paper (for Calliope, muse of epic poetry); tibiae or pipes (for Euterpe, muse of lyric poetry); lyre and plectrum (for Terpsichore, muse of choral dance); and mask and club of Hercules (for Melpomene, muse of tragedy).