Warwick vase

Warwick patinated bronze vase with relief

Height 13, length 21 cm
19th century

The Warwick vase was discovered in 1771 in several pieces at the villa of Emperor Hadrian near Tivoli by the English painter, Gavin Hamilton. The original was made in the years between 118 and 133 AD, and was 170 cm high, and 211 cm wide including the handles. Shortly after its discovery, Sir William Hamilton, an English envoy to Naples and antique collector, acquired the vase. After two years of restoration, he brought the vase to England in 1774. The British Museum in London refused to purchase it, so Hamilton commissioned his nephew George, Earl of Warwick, to acquire the antique. Since then it has been known as the Warwick Vase.