Formed as the Warwick Vase, raised on a square plinth, the body applied with Bacchic masks, with reeded crossed handles, the gadrooned and beaded upper rim applied with pendant grape bunches, the plinth engraved on one side ROYAL SQUADRON SCHOONER PRIZE / 10TH AUGUST 1877 / "MIRANDA", marked on lower body
13¹⁄₂ in. (34.3 cm.) long, over handles
92 oz. 2 dwt. (2,865 gr.)

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Lot Essay

The Warwick Vase, a colossal marble vase from the 2nd century AD, became one of the most celebrated pieces of antiquity. The vase, measuring nearly six feet high, was excavated in 1770 from a lake at Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli and acquired by Sir William Hamilton, antiquarian and Ambassador to Naples. It was later sold to the Earl of Warwick who installed it on the grounds of Warwick Castle. In 1778, Piranesi produced an engraving of the vase which subsequently served as inspiration for reproductions in silver, bronze marble, etc., throughout the 19th century.