Seldom sparing with elegant decoration--even for a functional household item--Wedgwood sho...
Seldom sparing with elegant decoration--even for a functional household item--Wedgwood showcases no less than six sprig relief groups on this 3 3/4 inch domed match holder. The small scale of the piece, along with the rich dark blue ground, gives unusual prominence to the reliefs, each elegantly bracketed by trellis devices.
Common belief among dealers and collectors postulates that the hollow spool-shape knop served as a socket to hold a small candle, and that the tiny decorated hole allowed one to keep a single match handy. With candle, the entire vessel could be carried as a sort of night light. One more functional element can be found under the base, a ribbed surface for striking.