Wedgwood Blue Jasper Mini Heart Box

One of the oldest patterns in Wedgwood's 240-year history, Jasper was introduced by the company's founder, Josiah Wedgwood, in 1775 and continues to have a large following of collectors of both antique and newly produced pieces. A type of unglazed, fine-grained, and nonporous stoneware, Jasper was named for its resemblance in hardness to the stone jasper. The body of this porcelain is white at its beginnings and is then dipped into metallic oxide coloring agents to shade it to black or one of several light pastel colors--with periwinkle blue, the color of this box, being the most popular and recognizable by collectors. Inspired by Neoclassical style and Greek and Roman mythology, the design work on Jasperware is hand-applied by craftspeople and features white cameo figures and ornamentation in bas-relief. These molded decorations are fired directly onto each piece for durability. True to the collection's roots, the top of this blue heart-shaped Jasperware box features a mythological scene surrounded by a garland of flowers--all in contrasting raised ornamentation. Two rosettes flank each side of the bottom half of the box, which measures 2-3/4 inches long and 2-1/2 inches wide. This piece is made in England and makes a wonderful ring box or can join an established Jasper collection in a display cabinet. --Cristina Vaamonde