Though the semi-nude female figures borne upon ocean waves might immediately suggest the b...
Though the semi-nude female figures borne upon ocean waves might immediately suggest the birth of the goddess Venus, Meigh's jug instead depicts a lesser known female diety, Amphitrite, wife of Neptune. Secondary status aside, she rises in great triumph surrounded by symbols from the high seas--mermaids, tritons, dolphins, sea shells--as well as bullrushes from the realm of rivers. It seems in fact that Meigh tried to cram in as many aquatic devices as possible including water birds and a mythical face (Neptune himself?) beneath the handle. The bright blue ground is subtly scored in parallel lines--vertical above the hip and squiggly horizontals below--adding one more level of consummate modelling.
Perhaps Meigh's most virtuosic achievement, however, is the incorporation of all these elements into a harmonious whole.