Pair of Antique Wedgwood & Bentley Black Basalt Jars England, Circa 1775

This pair of Wedgwood & Bentley black basalt urns was crafted at the renowned Etruria factory around 1775. They show the refined simplicity of Wedgwood’s 18th-century neoclassical design. The covers reverse to become candle holders (see images). One side of the cover serves as a lid for the jar, while the other, when inverted, serves as a candle holder, also known as a cassolette. The smooth, tapered ovoid bodies rest on square pedestal bases, providing a sense of elegant proportion and balance. A band of vertical fluting encircles the shoulders, adding a crisp architectural detail. The matte black basalt surface is polished to a subtle sheen, resulting in a lustrous, deep black finish. Gracefully curved rope-twist handles extend from the shoulders, framing the urns. A delicately draped garland in relief adds a hint of classical ornamentation without disrupting the overall restraint of the design. The domed lids, topped with simple finials, complete the composition with quiet elegance. The jars’ symmetry and timeless sophistication exemplify the finest of Wedgwood & Bentley’s basalt ware. Marks: The rare Wedgwood & Bentley Etruria mark, used from 1769 to 1780, is found on the undersides of each jar. Dimensions: 8.75″ tall, x 3.5″ diameter, and 5″ across the handles Condition: Excellent