Wedgwood black and white striped jasperware lidded urn, 21cm

This striking 21cm lidded urn is an authentic piece of Wedgwood jasperware, notable for its bold black-and-white striped decoration and crisply modelled Neo‑Classical reliefs. The body is formed as an elegant, elongated ovoid urn rising from a waisted socle and circular foot, all executed in unglazed black jasper with applied pale cream ornament. The alternating vertical cream and black bands run uninterrupted from the lower body up over the domed cover, visually lengthening the silhouette and creating a very sculptural, almost optical effect that is unusual within the Wedgwood canon and highly decorative in an interior setting.

A continuous frieze of classical swags and bows in raised cream relief encircles the shoulder, emphasising the high waisted profile and providing a refined contrast to the linear striping beneath. On two sides of the urn, finely detailed ram‑mask terminals support coiled loop handles, a favourite Wedgwood Neo‑Classical motif derived from antique silver and marble vases. The ram heads are particularly well modelled, with clearly defined fleece and horns, and stand out crisply against the matte black ground, demonstrating the precision for which jasperware is renowned.

The cover continues the striped scheme and is surmounted by an elongated finial with a moulded “corded” or gadrooned ring at its base, echoing turned wood or metal fittings found on 18th‑century urns and tea canisters. The underside of the lid reveals the characteristic unglazed pale jasper body, with a small vent hole in the centre, a technical feature that helps equalise firing stress and is typical of quality factory production rather than later reproductions.

The circular pedestal base is decorated with a band of overlapping acanthus leaves at the top, and around the lower drum runs a repeat border of scrolling foliage and central flowerheads, again in applied cream jasper relief. These motifs align closely with standard Wedgwood patterns used from the late 19th into the 20th century, and the colour combination corresponds to what collectors often describe as “black dipped jasper” with white reliefs. To the underside, the impressed “WEDGWOOD” mark is visible together with additional factory letters, supporting attribution to the Wedgwood works at Etruria or Barlaston rather than any later copy.

At approximately 21cm in height (as confirmed by the tape‑measure photographs), this urn is a very displayable size – tall enough to make a statement on a mantel, sideboard or in a cabinet, yet compact enough to sit comfortably in a modern interior. The condition appears good throughout from the images provided: there are no obvious cracks, hairlines or significant chips, and the relief work on the swags, ram masks and foliage remains crisp and intact. The matte jasper surface shows only the light handling marks and minor wear one would expect on an antique or vintage Wedgwood piece, lending an honest patina without detracting from the overall appearance.

Pieces of this type were often produced as decorative mantel urns, sometimes designed originally as lamp bases or to be mounted with metal fittings. The central bolt and nut visible inside the foot indicate that this example has, at some point, been drilled and fitted in this manner; however, it now presents as a self‑contained ornamental urn with its original cover. Whether used purely as a display object, grouped with other jasperware in a collection, or incorporated into a more eclectic interior scheme, the strong monochrome palette and refined Neo‑Classical ornament make it a particularly versatile and visually engaging piece.

For collectors of Wedgwood, black jasper is among the more dramatic and sought‑after colourways, and the combination with vertical striping and ram‑mask handles is relatively uncommon compared with the more familiar solid‑colour dip urns. This example therefore offers both decorative impact and specialist interest. Overall, it is an attractive and well‑preserved Wedgwood jasperware urn that encapsulates the firm’s long‑standing reputation for technical excellence, classical taste and innovative surface design.