Portland Vase print. Painted side with Cupid.

by Cipriani, Giovanni Battista

Hand-coloured reproduction from engraving by Giovanni Battista Cipriani (1727-1785).

Print of the fabulous classical painting on the two-handled Roman cameo-like glass Portland Vase, dated to between 30BC and 25AD. The vase was discovered near Rome c1582, in the sepulchre of the Emperor Alexander Severus. In 1778 Sir William Hamilton, British ambassador in Naples, purchased it from a Scottish art dealer, and subsequently sold it to the dowager Duchess of Portland, the widow of William Bentinck, 2nd Duke of Portland - whose son lent it to Josiah Wedgwood. Since 1810 this fabulous vase has been held by the British Museum.

While the figures give an indication of the wonderful artistry of the blown glass of the vase, the finish and colour do not do justice to the brilliance of the original creation.

Size: 26 x 41cm (10 x 16 inches).