Pair of Wedgwood Neoclassical Style Black Basaltes Figural Wine and Water Ewers. Date cipher for 1884

Pair of Wedgwood Neoclassical Style Black Basaltes Figural Wine and Water Ewers. Date cipher for 1884. Photo Doyle New York

Comprising a merman and a satyr representing Neptune and Bacchus, respectively, each seated on the shoulder and clinging to a dolphin mask or a ram's head, on a square base. Height 16 inches. each figure appears to have been partially ground down in the area of the top of the forehead; no other apparent chips, losses, hairlines, etc.; each is stamped on the underside: WEDGWOOD above an upper case letter "M" and each is also incised with the numeral 236. Estimate $2,000-3,000

According to the Wedgwood Museum, these models are occasionally referred to as Sacred to Neptune and Sacred to Bacchus. John Flaxman Sr. supplied the designs for these models in 1775, however it is believed that the original designs were likely based on designs or models by Claude Michel Clodion, a contemporary of Josiah Wedgwood 

Doyle New York. Belle Epoque: 19th & 20th Century Decorative Arts. Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 10am www.doylenewyork.com.