Rare English Grecian Grand Tour Prattware Pottery Urn Homer's Odyssey Antique

A mid 19th century English Neoclassical Prattware pottery urn designed in the Grecian Grand Tour style featuring a central scene depicting the meeting of Ulysses and Penelope from Homer's Odyssey against a matte black ground.

Odysseus wears a purple cloak and blue tunic while embracing Penelope in her green and orange robes, framed by delicate pink floral garlands and classical pedestals. Flanked by gilded handles and the lid is finished with a gold finial to complement the vessel, which is further decorated with orange palmettes and teal leaf patterns on the neck and base.

I believe the original illustration for this widely recognized form of Ulysses and Penelope was first produced by John Flaxman.

In the late 18th century, Flaxman gained international fame for his minimalist, outline-only illustrations of Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. His style was intentionally designed to mimic the flat, two-dimensional figures found on ancient Greek black-figure and red-figure pottery. By the Victorian era, these designs had become the standard visual shorthand for classical mythology. F. & R. Pratt utilized these specific engravings as templates for their underglaze transfer prints, allowing them to mass-produce "Grand Tour" style art for a wider audience.

Height: 41 cm - Max diameter: 29.5 cm - Base diameter: 15.75 cm

 Likely produced by F & R Pratt although I have been unable to find another despite it being an outstanding example of Classically themed English pottery and welcome any further information about it. Perhaps an exhibition piece?

With a crack to body and underside but difficult to spot on the exterior.