|
Mr. Windus, F.S.A, the most recent illustrator, has asserted the
design to be the pictorial representation of a lady of quality consulting
Galen, who at length discovered her sickness to be that of love for a
celebrated rope-dancer. The piece of bas-relief engraved Glass, forming
the foot, is distinct, and cemented into the bottom of the vessel; it
appears to be of later date than the body of the vase, and by a different
artist; possibly, an accident in the making or engraving the vase might
have compelled the artist to have the foot of a subsequent manufacture.
it has been likewise conjectured that the neck of the vase being small,
the large opening at the bottom gave more room for putting in ashes
or bones, prior to the foot being finally cemented on. At all events,
this beautiful ancient work of art affords satisfactory proof that the
manufacture of Glass was carried to a state of high perfection by the
ancients.*
Venice, during a long period, excelled all
Europe in the
* An account of the Portland Vase was
published by the late Mr. Wedgwood—the Father of the Potteries
and an accomplished philosopher: it is, like its author, truthful
and accurate. On this famed Vase being offered for sale, Wedgwood,
considering that many persons to whom the original was unattainable,
might be willing to pay a handsome price for a good imitation of it,
endeavoured to purchase it, and for some time continued to offer an
advance upon each bidding of the Duchess of Portland, until at length,
his motive being ascertained, he was offered the loan of the vase on
condition of withdrawing his opposition. Consequently, the Duchess
became the purchaser at the price of eighteen hundred guineas. It is
stated, that a limited number of copies were sold at fifty guineas each,
and that the model cost five hundred guineas: probably the celebrated
Flaxman was the artist who was so liberally rewarded. Sir Joseph Banks
and Sir Joshua Reynolds bore testimony to the excellent execution of
these copies, which were chased by a steel rifle, after the bas relief
had been wholly or partially fired.
|
