• 1886
• England
• Height: 54 in.
• Large vase of ovoid form with mottled red glaze simulating stone supported by a triangular base with three naturalistically modeled white swans in defensive stance. 
• Mark:  Wedgwood impressed on underside.
• Artist: Albert-Ernest Carrier Belleuse

Large floor vase in three parts. The base has three swans, is colored oxblood and has lid with swan. Impressed: "Wedgwood" on underside of the triangular base. The ceramic vase sits on a tiered ceramic base. This section is impressed with the "Wedgwood" hallmark as well. The oxblood colored vase area has three swan figures that connect to the base with three mustard colored handles. The entire vase is mounted on a black wooden triangular base. 

Attributed to sculptor Albert-Ernest Carrier Belleuse (French, 1824-1887). Only eight examples are known to survive. Two are in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; one at the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Australia; one at the Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide. The others are in private collections. This 54-inch monumental vase was the largest piece of majolica produced by the Wedgwood Factory. Majolica was in production from 1860 to 1910, a form of art pottery, decorated with colored glazes, inspired by Italian maiolica. Henry and Margaret Plant purchased this vase for the Tampa Bay Hotel. 

Accession number: 1998.100
Photo credit:  Win Wolloff