Whether a toy or an adult curio, this Wedgwood jasperware teapot charms one with its dimin...

Whether a toy or an adult curio, this Wedgwood jasperware teapot charms one with its diminutive scale. The cobalt blue surface is crowded with white applied relief: two classical sprigs finished off with trees. One side  features "The Seller of Cupids," taken from an eighteenth century engraving of a Roman fresco unearthed at Herculaneum. On the other cupids and their dog play in a natural setting, a favorite motif on Wedgwood miniatures.

The form of the miniature bulbous teapot differs slightly from the comparable adult-scale...

The form of the miniature bulbous teapot differs slightly from the comparable adult-scale shape. The tiny teapot's spout is longer relative to the body and has a more sprightly curve. The result is a lilting profile, appropriate to the whimsical character of the piece.

"The Seller of Cupids" made a spectacular impact after it was recovered in the mid eighteenth century, being reproduced in a variety of artistic media. Shown is an engraved version of the sort that inspired the Wedgwood sprig.