Anonymous

Pastille Burner

late 19th century

Black basalt painted with bronze and gold decorations

Gifts of Mr. and Mrs. John K. Olsen

2003.1

Burning pastilles in this vessel would perfume an interior, as scents escaped through its pierced lid. Such luxury items may have originated in France (called cassolettes). Also French is the neo-classical tripod form used by Wedgwood in this pastille burner, which references ancient Greek and Roman art.  Similarly designed objects appeared at Wedgwood as early as 1805.

More works of art in the category: Decorative

29 works of art See all

Other ways to explore the collection