Description: Wedgwood black basalt Ewery lamp depicting a Faun, holding the horns of a ram. Below the spout, grapevines and ripening fruit are depicted both ripening and in full bloom.

History: Wedgwood was keenly interested in the scientific advances of his day and it was this interest that underpinned his adoption of its approach and methods to revolutionize the quality of his pottery. His unique glazes began to distinguish his wares from anything else on the market. By 1763, he was receiving orders from the highest levels of the British nobility, including Queen Charlotte. Wedgwood convinced her to let him name the line of pottery she had purchased "Queen's Ware", and trumpeted the royal association in his paperwork and stationery. Anything Wedgwood made for the Queen was automatically exhibited before it was delivered.In 1764 he received his first order from abroad..br> He first opened a warehouse at Charles Street, Mayfair in London as early as 1765 and it soon became an integral part of his sales organization. In two years his trade had outgrown his rooms in Grosvenor Square.In 1767 Wedgwood and Bentley drew up an agreement to divide decorative wares between them, the domestic wares being sold on Wedgwood's behalf. A special display room was built to beguile the fashionable company. Wedgwood's in fact had become one of the most fashionable meeting places in London. His artisans had to work day and night to satisfy the demand and the crowds of visitors showed no sign of abating. The proliferating decoration, the exuberant colors, and the universal gilding of rococo were banished The styles had changed, the splendors of baroque became distasteful; the intricacies of chinoiserie lost their favor. To encourage this outward spread of fashion and to speed it on its way Wedgwood set up warehouses and showrooms at Bath, Liverpool and Dublin in addition tot his showrooms at Etruria and in Westminster. Great care was taken in timing the openings, and new goods were held back to increase their effect. The most important of Wedgwood's early achievements in vase production was the perfection of the black stoneware body, which he called 'basalt'. This body could imitate the colour and shapes of Etruscan or Greek vases which were being excavated in Italy. In 1769 'vases was all the cry' in London; he opened a new factory called "Etruria", north of Stoke. Wedgwood became what he wished to be: 'Vase Maker General to the Universe'. Around 1771 he started to experiment with Jasperware, but he did not advertise this new product until a couple of years later.

Provenance: Helen & Dr. Roland Kohen, Miami, FL

Dimensions: Weight (Pounds & Ounces) = 7.5 | Height(in) = 29 | Width(in) = 9 | Depth(in) = 5.5

Size of Artwork(in): 29 x 9 x 5.5"

Artist Name: Wedgwood

Medium: Black Basalt

Circa: 19th Century

Item is in very good condition throughout with no evidence of any cracks, chips or restorations.