262 Josiah Wedgwood CHAP. 



others consider it a eulogium on the virtues of his 

 immediate successor Alexander Severus. But the whole 

 subject is involved in mystery. 



Mr. Marryat supposed that the cameos were porcelain, 

 applied as a paste and burnt to due hardness ; and that 

 with more heat it would become glossy like the Dresden 

 porcelain. . . . Applied to the glass when it came out 

 of the mould, then passed with the glass vessel into 

 the fire, after which the cameos would be amalgamated 

 or soldered on. The glass foot is thought to have been 

 cemented on, after the bones or ashes had been placed 

 in the urn. 



The vase was bought by Sir William Hamilton from 

 Byres the antiquary for 1000, and was afterwards sold 

 by him to the Duchess of Portland (the Earl having 

 died) for 1800 guineas, so that Sir William must have 

 realised a considerable profit by his purchase. At the 

 sale of her Grace's property after her decease in 1786, 

 the vase was "bought in by the Portland family for 

 1029. 



When Wedgwood heard that this splendid example 

 of Grecian or Etruscan art was to be sold, he determined 

 to possess the ancient gem. The young Duke of Portland 

 also desired to retain its possession. It was put up for 

 sale at the rooms of Skinner and Company. The bidding 

 went on with spirit. Wedgwood bid to upwards of a 

 thousand pounds. Then the Duke overbid him. At 

 last the Duke, seeing that there were only two bidders, 

 stepped across the room and asked Wedgwood what was 



