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.