This unusual Wedgwood tri-color jasper dip lidded jar employs as its third color a most unusual yellowish tone that, for lack of any official designation, we will call "ochre." With the white figures and green ground a combination of considerable delicacy is achieved.

 

The jar is populated by infant boys who are occupied in a variety of poses. The boys are from the "Bacchanalian Boys" series, based on relief sculptures by the 17th century Flemish sculptor, Francois Duquesnoy, who was also responsible for the famous (or infamous) Manakin-Pis fountain in Brussels. The number of jugs and musical instruments they carry suggests that some infant revelry is in preparation.

 

As with a number of Wedgwood  jars of this form, the decorative motifs are based on the oak tree: the acorn knop, the oakleaf border, and the lid treatment featuring ochre oak leaves alternating with white acorn bearing branches.  

Even among tri-color Wedgwood pieces, this jar stands out for at least two unusual features. The ochre relief is a very seldom seen color in Wedgwood jasper. Moreover, to harmonize with that shade, Wedgwood does not use its standard light green, but instead a green with a bit more yellow, achieving a slightly olive tone.

Second, though the form places the piece in the family of Wedgwood tobacco jars, its smaller size--along with the delicate color combination--opens the possibility of a different function. Perhaps it found its home in some lady's elegant boudoir as the container for some beauty potion. It would not look at all out of place in such a setting.