Perfecting the vase
In September 1789, more than three years after being lent the vase and after countless experiments and trials, Josiah finally managed to create a satisfactory version of the Portland Vase.The next month, Wedgwood was able to send the first successful copy of the vase to his friend, Erasmus Darwin, and by May 1790 Josiah had already received twenty subscriptions for his First Edition Portland Vase.The vase proved to be such an accurate copy that when the original Barberini Vase was accidentally smashed into pieces whilst on display at the British Museum, it was Josiah’s Jasperware copy which was used to help piece the cameo glass vase back together.