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Wedgwood Black Basalt Pastille Burner
Wedgwood Black Basalt Pastille Burner
Wedgwood Black Basalt Pastille Burner
Wedgwood Black Basalt Pastille Burner
Wedgwood Black Basalt Pastille Burner
Wedgwood Black Basalt Pastille Burner
Wedgwood Black Basalt Pastille Burner

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Wedgwood Black Basalt Pastille Burner

  • This large pastille burner was created at the request of the Bishop of Winchester
  • The dolphin tripod shape was first introduced as an oil lamp and translated to the pastille burner
  • Black basalt was one of Wedgwood's most celebrated achievements
  • Get complete item description here
$12,850
Item No. 31-4241

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Description
Wedgwood began crafting pastille burners in the early nineteenth century, and this stunning dolphin burner is a gorgeous example of his innovative design. The finely-pierced lid with trellis design, foliate swags and applied rosettes provide delicate, elegant texture and detail, in contrast to the solidity and stability of the black basalt. Pastille burners were used for burning cone-shaped “pastilles” of powdered willow-wood charcoal mixed with fragrant oils and gum arabic to overpower odors caused by. . .
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Wedgwood began crafting pastille burners in the early nineteenth century, and this stunning dolphin burner is a gorgeous example of his innovative design. The finely-pierced lid with trellis design, foliate swags and applied rosettes provide delicate, elegant texture and detail, in contrast to the solidity and stability of the black basalt. Pastille burners were used for burning cone-shaped “pastilles” of powdered willow-wood charcoal mixed with fragrant oils and gum arabic to overpower odors caused by poor ventilation and inadequate drains.

The graceful dolphin tripod shape was first introduced as an oil lamp and translated to the pastille burner around 1804. Earlier versions of the burner were crafted on a smaller scale, and this larger model was introduced at the request of the Bishop of Winchester, who wanted to burn many pastilles at once. The larger size serves to accentuate the dolphins’ graceful curves and intricately detailed decoration. A similar large pastille burner appears on page 452 of Wedgwood Vol. 2 by Robin Reilly.

Early 19th Century

Impressed uppercase mark

12 1/2” high x 9 4/5“ wide x 9 4/5" deep

Provenance: Muriel Polikoff, Philadelphia, PA, 1988. 
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Wedgwood Black Basalt Pastille Burner
Maker: Wedgwood
Period: 19th Century
Origin: England
Type: Other
Style: Basalt
Depth: 9.88 in. (25.08 cm)
Width: 9.88 in. (25.08 cm)
Height: 12.5 in. (31.75 cm)

Buy With Confidence

For over a century, we've placed important art, rare jewels and exceptional objects with more than 14,000 collectors worldwide, and have been recognized by trusted publications including Robb Report, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and more.

On Approval

On Approval

Examine select works in person before you commit

125% Guarantee

125% Guarantee

Full credit plus 5% annual appreciation for five years

Trusted Expertise

Trusted Expertise

Over two centuries of combined experience across our specialists

Learn More

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