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Exhibition at Alton Towers, Staffordshire, in aid of the Wedgwood Institute of Burslem - the Wedgwood ware in the Octagon Room, 1865. '...it is intended that the building itself shall illustrate the constructive as well as the decorative uses of ceramic art...the Wedgwood ware and other illustrations of the ceramic art are placed in the Octagon, the old specimens occupying a large case in the middle of the room...The centre case contains a numerous variety of cameos, dejeuner services in dark and light coloured jasper ware, and fine pieces of basaltes in sphinxes and vases, a pair of which, with decorations illustrative of the mythology of wine and water, are among the choicest articles in the exhibition. There are also a few specimens of the cream-coloured ware, some very handsome porphyry vases, and some copies of antique vases, with encaustic painting. One of the most attractive articles in the Octagon is a white marble chimney-piece, inlaid with exquisite plaques of sage-green jasper ware. On the top of this mantelpiece are two large and very handsome blue and white vases, made for the father of the present Earl of Harrowby... there are also specimens of modern ware from Messrs. Copeland's, Messrs. Minton's, and Messrs. Wedgwood's works'. From "Illustrated London News", 1865. Exhibition at Alton Towers...in aid of the Wedgwood Institute...the Octagon Room, 1865. Creator: Unknown. (KEYSTONE/HERITAGE IMAGES/THE PRINT COLLECTOR)