Rape of Helen 1780 - 1790

This Wedgwood jasperware plaque, titled "Rape of Helen," depicts the Greek myth of Paris abducting Helen, wife of Menelaus, which sparked the Trojan War. Created between 1780 and 1790, the scene is rendered in red cameo on a blue jasper ground, a signature technique of Wedgwood pottery. The plaque's intricate detail and classic subject matter demonstrate Wedgwood's mastery of neoclassical design, appealing to the discerning tastes of 18th-century collectors.