This was the first appearance of what afterwards became the most beautiful of all Wedgwood’s productions—the “Jasper ware.” It will be perceived that at this date (1774) it was simply spoken of as a “fine white terra-cotta,” and that it remained for later years to produce it with its splendid blue and other coloured grounds, with raised white figures and ornaments. In 1787 this variety, which then had attained its highest perfection, is described at greater length as—
“IV. Jasper—a white porcelain bisqué of exquisite beauty and delicacy, possessing the general properties of the basaltes, together with that of receiving colours through its whole substance, in a manner which no other body, ancient or modern, has been known to do. This renders it peculiarly fit for cameos, portraits, and all subjects in bas-relief, as the group may be made of any colour throughout, without paint or enamel, and the raised figures of a pure white.”
Figs. 549 to 562.—Wedgwood’s Jasper Ware.
Fig. 563.—“Peace preventing Mars from bursting the door of Janus’s Temple.”
Fig. 564.—“Mercury uniting the hands of England and France.”
Bas-reliefs in Jasper by Flaxman; charged in his bills.
Of the productions in this ware Wedgwood wrote:—“As these are my latest, I hope they will be found to be my most approved, works. Verbal descriptions could give but an imperfect idea of the delicacy of the materials, the execution of the artist, or the general effect, and I must therefore beg leave to refer those who wish for information in these respects to a view of the articles themselves.„ In 1775 a reissue of the English catalogue, consequent on the change of the London warehouse from Great Newport Street to Greek Street, Soho, made its appearance. At the end is an addition of six pages, containing an engraving and explanation of Wedgwood’s newly-invented inkstands and eye-cups.