Early 19th Century Wedgwood Black Basalt Hedgehog Bulb Planter

Description

A black basalt bulb pot molded as a hedgehog, made by Wedgwood in the middle of the 19th century.

Finely … more A black basalt bulb pot molded as a hedgehog, made by Wedgwood in the middle of the 19th century.

Finely molded as a lively little hedgehog, this unique object would have been used for sprouting bulbs: the bottom tray was filled with moss or dirt, then flower bulbs would be added to grow up through the holes. This piece is conservatively dated to the second quarter of the 19th century, however Wedgwood hedgehog bulb pots were made in black basalt starting in the late 18th century. Later 19th century editions were made in other ceramic bodies such as jasperware and Majolica.

Dimensions:
Hedgehog: 9 in. L x 4 in. D x 5 1/2 in. H
stand: 10 in. L x 6 in. D x 1 ¼ in. H

Condition: Excellent.

References:
Carnegie Museum of Art, 82.93.44
Royal Ontario Museum, 970.242.24
Victoria & Albert Museum, 2390-1901

Literature:
Diana Edwards, Black Basalt (Woodbridge, Suffolk: Antique Collectors’ Club, 1994), illus. p. 103 fig. 120.

Peter Kaellgren, Wedgwood: Artistry and Innovation (Toronto: Royal Ontario Museum, 2009), illus. p. 87.

Exhibited:
18th century Wedgwood. Edward-Dean Museum, 13 September-24 November 1991.

Wedgwood from California Collections. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 27 January-21 March 1976. less