Basalt is the perfect body for Wedgwood's miniature classical portrait busts. The appearan...

Basalt is the perfect body for Wedgwood's miniature classical portrait busts. The appearance of the ivy-wreathed youth resembles portraits of Antinous closely enough to justify this guess at his identity. (Antinous was the beloved companion of the Emperor Hadrian who was deified after his early death by drowning.) The stark design of the unusual silver base, in contrast to the basalt body, enhances what at the very least is an idealized classical portrait of the beauty of youth.

We find a more exact date range for this piece challenging. The size, modelling and exqusi...

We find a more exact date range for this piece challenging. The size, modelling and exqusite beauty of the portrait bust reveal a great deal of care in its production. Also, while we have owned a scattering of these miniature basalt busts over the years, this is the first time we have encountered the silver metal socle (base). We know Wedgwood produced miniature basalt busts among his eighteenth century offerings, however we do not have specific enough details in our references to identify this example. The mark is also of little assistance as it was in use from the late eighteenth century through the nineteenth.