Style:
Classical literary subject
Technique: Blue and white transfer
print
Maker: Josiah Wedgwood &
Sons
Dimensions:
8" x 8"
Date: 1880 - 1890 (circa)
Demetrius from one of the best, if not the
best, pictorial series from Wedgwood
illustrating fairies from the Shakespeare play
'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. A somewhat
controversial play, criticised by many people
who saw images of themselves described by
Shakespeare in the commuity of elves and fairies
in which the play is set.
Although oft attributed to Thomas Allen this
series was designed by Helen J A Miles. The
design is too good for Thomas Allen's work even
accounting for the engraving of the plate for
the tile transfer print being done by an
engraver and hence affecting the finished
product. Mostly noticably better engraving than
the 'Months of the Year' series also attributed
to Helen J A Miles although it appear that two
engravers were involved as the touch of the hand
is ckearly different on some.
Verso very clean embossed Josiah Wedgwood
& Sons, Etruria.