Extremely Rare Wedgwood Polar Bear Ginger Jar - 9.5" Museum Investment Grade

Maker: Wedgwood

Period: Victorian era (circa 1870-1900)

Style: Ginger jar with relief molded decoration

Height: 9.5 inches (with lid)

Decoration: Polar bears in Arctic landscape on cobalt blue ground

Rarity Level: Extremely Rare - Museum Investment Grade

Condition: Mint like Condition no  chips,cracks, repairs, some very minor wear to the top of the lid and under the lid(see pics)

Comparable Sale: Similar 9.5" vase sold for $5,800 USD at American auction

A Museum Investment-Grade Victorian Masterpiece

This exceptionally rare Wedgwood polar bear ginger jar represents one of the most significant examples of Victorian decorative pottery available to collectors. Standing 9.5 inches tall, this museum-quality piece features exquisitely detailed relief-molded polar bears in an Arctic landscape set against stunning cobalt blue ground - a subject so rare that comparable pieces have sold for $5,800 USD at major American auctions.

Auction-Documented Rarity: Recent auction records confirm the extraordinary value of this rare Wedgwood form, with a comparable 9.5-inch vase achieving $5,800 USD. This documented sale history establishes this piece as investment-grade Victorian pottery of the highest caliber.

Museum-Quality Significance: Polar bear motifs on Wedgwood pottery are so exceptionally uncommon that major collectors and institutions compete for examples. This rarity level places the piece firmly in museum acquisition territory, representing cultural and historical significance beyond typical decorative pottery.

Victorian Arctic Exploration Era: This piece captures the Victorian era's intense fascination with polar exploration during the heroic age of Arctic expeditions. The polar bear theme directly connects to the British public's captivation with Franklin, Ross, and other legendary explorers - making this not just decorative art but historical documentation.

Relief Molding Mastery: The three-dimensional polar bears demonstrate Wedgwood's technical peak, with naturalistic modeling showing individual fur texture, anatomically accurate poses, and environmental context. The Arctic ice formations and landscape details create a complete narrative scene rarely achieved in pottery.

Cobalt Blue Excellence: The rich, even cobalt blue ground provides museum-quality contrast to the white polar bears. This color combination, enhanced with gilt rope-twist borders, represents Wedgwood's most sophisticated decorative program.

Complete Condition Premium: The presence of the original fitted lid with coordinating decoration significantly enhances both value and rarity. Museum curators and advanced collectors specifically seek complete examples, as separated lids are often lost forever.

Investment-Grade Provenance: With documented auction results at $5,800 USD for comparable pieces, this ginger jar represents not just collectible pottery but a tangible investment asset with established market value and appreciation potential.

Technical Achievement: The successful combination of relief molding, high-fire cobalt glaze, and gilt decoration required exceptional skill across multiple firings. Many pieces failed in production, explaining the extreme scarcity of survivors.

Size and Presence: The substantial 9.5-inch height creates commanding presence worthy of museum exhibition or as the centerpiece of advanced private collections. This scale allows full appreciation of the sophisticated modeling and narrative content.

Historical Documentation: This piece documents Victorian society's relationship with natural history, exploration, and exotic wildlife. It represents the intersection of art, science, and imperial ambition that defined the era.

Institutional Quality: Museums, universities, and cultural institutions seek examples like this to represent Victorian decorative arts at their finest. The combination of technical excellence, historical significance, and extreme rarity places this firmly in institutional acquisition territory.

Market Position: With documented comparable sales at $5,800 USD, this piece represents established investment value. The Canadian market often shows strong demand for museum-quality Victorian pottery with documented provenance and comparable sales.

Collector Competition: Advanced Wedgwood collectors, Victorian pottery specialists, natural history theme collectors, and institutional buyers all compete for pieces at this rarity level, ensuring strong market demand and value stability.

Current Value: 6,000-7,500 CAD (based on $5,800 USD comparable auction result)

Perfect For: Museum collections, institutional acquisitions, investment-grade pottery collectors, advanced Wedgwood specialists, Victorian decorative arts investors, natural history theme collections, or discerning collectors seeking documented museum-quality pieces with established auction provenance.

Professional Assessment: Authenticated by William Cross, whose expertise in museum-quality Victorian pottery ensures accurate identification and market positioning of exceptional pieces like this documented rare Wedgwood treasure.