Wedgwood in this box achieved a form ingeniously suited to its decorative purposes. Each of the eight softly curved convex surfaces of the base provides a ground for a separate applied relief--in this case scenes of cupids busy at their varied forms of frolic. The rich wine red surface of the lid forms the ground for a central relief of classical figures with a cage (its specific subject is not identified in our sources). The only other interruption of the luscious color field is the crisp border of oak leaves and acorns.

People seem to possess some sort of innate fascination with and attraction to boxes--consider Pandora. In the case of a box decorated in Wedgwood's rare and lovely crimson color, there is a good chance that the box will overshadow whatever treasure may be kept inside.