Casgliadau Arlein

Wheel thrown black jasper copy of the Portland Vase. Wide high shouldered body tapering to a flat circular foot, flared trumpet shape neck; pair of angular handles, joined at shoulder and rim, incised with broad overlapping scales and each terminating in a white jasper mask of a bearded old man. Body and underside of base of vase decorated with a frieze of carved and cut cameo white jasper; flat base probably shows the head and shoulders of Paris, son of King Priam, wearing helmet and cloak and under a tree; body shows Thetis reclining on her rocks under a tree (centre) watched by Hermes seated by a column (left) and Aphrodite sitting on a rocky outcrop and holding a staff (right ); and Peleus, under a portico, walking forward with his outstretched right arm (left) clasped by a seated Doris, with sea snake (or her grandmother Tethys), (centre), and watched by Nereus (or Oceanus) who rests his right foot on the base of a tree propping up his right elbow and holding his chin in his right hand. Eros flies overhead, through a tree. Jasper well undercut and with stained detailing; several areas of orange staining around the base of the vase and especially on Thetis, and Doris, brown and blue staining, especially on foliage, cupid's wings and on rockwork. Northwood version shows characterstic clear knot in tree trunk below Eros, and in the branches under his left arm. Egg shell sheen.