Wedgwood Covered Vegetable Dish | Florentine Turquoise (W2714)

- Width (Handle to Handle): 25.3 cm
- Diameter (Rim): 20.2 cm
- Height (To top of finial): Approximately 14.5 cm
- Shape: Round vegetable tureen in the traditional Leigh shape.

- Excellent - This tureen is in excellent vintage condition, showing remarkably little wear for its age.
- Surface & Glaze: The glaze remains bright and lustrous, and the white bone china is free from crazing or staining.
- Enamelling: The turquoise enamel is vibrant and retains its signature raised, "glassy" texture.
- Linework: The sepia-toned griffins and scrolls are crisp and well-defined.
- Structural Integrity: There are no chips, cracks, or repairs to either the lid or the base.
- Basemark: The underside is clearly marked with the Wedgwood Portland Vase stamp and the W2714 pattern number.

1. Design & Features
- The Florentine Pattern: Originally introduced in the late 19th century, this design is inspired by the Italian Renaissance, specifically the "grotesque" style popularised by 16th-century artists.
- Mythical Imagery: The border features a rhythmic procession of griffins, eagles, and urns amidst scrolling acanthus foliage.
- Pattern Contrast: This specific tureen is the white-centre variant, which highlights the precision of the sepia-toned linework against the brilliant white bone china.
- Structural Detail: The lid is topped with a fluted finial and features a small steam vent to preserve the texture of served dishes.

2. Craftsmanship
- Hand-Applied Enamel: Each piece undergoes a labour-intensive process where the turquoise enamel is hand-applied, resulting in a slightly raised, tactile finish.
- Fine Bone China: Renowned for its strength and translucency, the body of this tureen represents the pinnacle of Staffordshire pottery excellence.
- Sepia Linework: The intricate brown outlines in the W2714 pattern are hand-printed before the colour is added, ensuring no two pieces are identical.

3. A Brief History of the Florentine Series
- Renaissance Origins: The Florentine pattern, first introduced by Wedgwood in the late 19th century (c. 1872), draws its inspiration from the Italian Renaissance.
- The "Grotesque" Style: The design is a sophisticated take on the "grotesque" style of ornamentation, a decorative form featuring fantastical creatures and mythical griffins intertwined with scrolling foliage.
- A Century of Colour: While Turquoise remains the most iconic and enduring colourway, Wedgwood has produced the Florentine pattern in over 20 different hues throughout its history, including gold, black, and terracotta.
- The W2714 Distinction: The W2714 series is particularly prized by collectors for its use of dark sepia linework. This was the traditional method used before the more stark, black-line versions became the standard in later 20th-century production.
- Hand-Finished Legacy: To this day, the vibrant turquoise band is still hand-enamelled, maintaining the tactile, raised texture that has made the collection a staple of fine English dining for over 150 years.

4. Uses & Versatility
- Dining Table Centrepiece: While designed for serving vegetables, the substantial size of this tureen (25.3 cm wide) makes it an ideal vessel for salads or main dishes.
- Modern Styling: The architectural nature of the pattern allows it to sit comfortably alongside minimalist, modern tableware or traditional English porcelain.
- Interior Accents: Beyond the dining room, the vibrant turquoise hue serves as a significant decorative element for a sideboard or hutch display.

5. Care Instructions
- Washing: To preserve the hand-enamelled turquoise and the integrity of the glaze, we recommend gentle hand washing in warm, soapy water.
- Abrasives: Avoid using harsh scouring pads or abrasive cleaners that could dull the sepia linework or the enamelled texture.
- Temperature: Preheat the tureen gradually with warm water before adding very hot food to avoid thermal shock to the bone china.