206 THE WEDGWOODS. 



Similar vases to these, it is recorded, were deposited 

 under the foundation of one of the wings of Etruria Hall. 



Like every other production of the inimitable Wedgwood, 

 these Etruscan vases the " peculiar species of encaustic 

 painting in various colours, in imitation of the ancient 

 Etruscan and Roman earthenware" which is spoken of in 

 his specification' soon "took" amazingly with the wealthy 

 and influential classes, and produced a taste for the antique 



which before did not exist. "When they thus became called 

 for in large quantities by the public, it was judged best to 

 have them painted in the neighbourhood of London, where 

 a number of ingenious artists, such as would be required, 

 might more easily be assembled together, and where this 

 species of classical decoration, so entirely in consonance 



