A GEORGE IV SILVER WARWICK VASE

The Warwick Vase, a colossal marble vase from the 2nd century AD, became one of the most celebrated pieces of antiquity. The vase, measuring nearly six feet high, was excavated in 1770 from a lake at Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli and acquired by Sir William Hamilton, antiquarian and Ambassador to Naples. It was later sold to the Earl of Warwick who installed it on the grounds of Warwick Castle noting: 'I built a noble greenhouse and filled it with beautiful plants. I placed in it a vase, considered as the finest remains of Grecian art extant for size and beauty.' Several views of the vase were engraved by G.B. Piranesi in Vasi, Candelabri, Cippi, Sarcofagi of 1778 and served as inspiration for silver and silver-gilt versions during the late Georgian and Regency period.