This cylinder shape biscuit jar is executed with black relief on a buff yellow ground.&nbs...

This cylinder shape biscuit jar is executed with black relief on a buff yellow ground.  The main body, continuing the profile of the silverplate fitting, is decorated with contrasting swags of black fruiting vine caught up at intervals by lion mask terminals. Four muses stand in the spaces framed by the swags.  A thin ring of uncolored stoneware separates the main frieze from the slanted foot, which bears a less dense horizontal band of the grape vine garland.

The design of this jar was used by Wedgwood in various colors of jasper dip, but seldom with the drama created by the relatively scarce combination of black on buff.

The Muses positioned around the jar come from a series of designs by John Flaxman, 1776/77...

The Muses positioned around the jar come from a series of designs by John Flaxman, 1776/77.  They include:  

Euterpe, Muse of Lyric Poetry -- depicted with tibiae or pipes

Terpsicore, Muse of Choral Dance -- depicted holding a lyre and plectrum

Polymnia, Muse of the hymn or song in honor of the gods -- depicted in a pensive attitude

Calliope, Muse of Epic Poetry -- depicted holding a tablet and stylus.