Arguably the most celebrated of all English ceramics makers, Wedgwood was founded in 1759 by potter Josiah Wedgwood in Staffordshire, which was home at one time to hundreds of pottery workshops.
Wedgwood is famed for its Jasperware — molded neoclassical stoneware vases, plates and other pieces inspired by ancient cameo glass, featuring white figures, scenes and decorative elements set in relief on a matte-colored background. The best-known background hue is light blue, but Wedgwood’s iconic silhouettes also appear on green, lilac, yellow, black and even white grounds. Some antique Wedgwood dinnerware pieces and other items feature three or more colors. The company is also known for its black stoneware, Black Basalt, which imitates the color and shapes of Etruscan vases.
The Wedgwood firm first came to prominence for its tableware, which quickly gained favor in aristocratic households throughout Britain and Europe. In 1765, Wedgwood was commissioned to create a cream-colored earthenware service for Queen Charlotte, consort of King George III. The queen was so thrilled with her new china that Wedgwood was given permission to call himself “Potter to Her Majesty,” and the decorative style became known as Queen’s Ware.
Not to be outdone, Catherine the Great of Russia commissioned her own set of Wedgwood china in 1773. Nearly 200 years later, the firm created a 1,200-piece service for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. In recent years, leading designers including Jasper Conran and Vera Wang have collaborated with Wedgwood — in the tradition of such distinguished 18th-century artists such as the painter George Stubbs and metalsmith Matthew Boulton.
From plates and other dinnerware to decorative items like urns, cachepots and candlesticks, Wedgwood designs lend a traditional air to Anglophile interiors. And even if you have to make your own tea, you may find it comforting to sip it from a delicate cup that was manufactured in the same Stoke-on-Trent kiln that produced Her Majesty’s tea service. Be sure to keep your pinky raised.
Find antique Josiah Wedgwood pottery, dinner plates, serving pieces and other furnishings and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Antique English Creamware Charger Hand Painted Circa 1785
Located in Katonah, NY
This beautiful antique English creamware plate, dating back to 1785, features a hand-painted Neoclassical garland design around the border. Delicate green swags encircle small purple...
Creamware
Antique Worcester Porcelain Basket Dr. Wall First Period Circa 1770 England
By 1st Period Worcester Dr. Wall
Located in Katonah, NY
This 18th-century Worcester Porcelain chestnut basket is beautifully decorated with hand-painted polychrome enamels. The interior features a stunning spray of hand-painted flowers, ...
Porcelain
Antique Worcester Porcelain Dish England Circa 1790
By Flight Worcester
Located in Katonah, NY
This elegant late 18th-century Worcester Porcelain dish is fluted and decorated along the border with a beautiful string of leaves painted in light green, purple, and gilt. The simpl...
Porcelain
Antique Wedgwood Creamware Basket and Stand England Circa 1820
Located in Katonah, NY
This elegant Wedgwood creamware basket retains its original matching stand, an increasingly difficult combination to find together. Made in England circa 1820, both the basket and st...
Creamware
18th Century French Porcelain Shallow Bowl Locré Circa 1785
By Locré & Russinger's Factory 1
Located in Katonah, NY
This 18th-century French porcelain dish was hand-painted circa 1785. Crafted at the renowned Locré manufactory, also known as Porcelaine de La Courtille, in Paris the bowl is decorated with gorgeous handpainted purple roses, complementing green leaves, and small gilded flower sprigs, The border continues the same pattern. The enameled flowers create a striking visual contrast against the fine white porcelain. The small gilded sprigs add an elegant shimmer. Craftsmanship: Jean-Baptiste Locré founded this celebrated porcelain workshop in 1771. Locré porcelain...
Porcelain
Pair Wedgwood Creamware Dishes England Circa 1810
By Wedgwood
Located in Katonah, NY
Made by Wedgwood in England circa 1810, this pair of creamware dishes features a neoclassical border decorated with a band of green acanthus leaves separated by black darts. The bord...
Creamware
Antique English Early "Wedgwood" Creamware ‘Earthenware’ Hand Painted Platter
By Josiah Wedgwood
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Rare antique English "Wedgwood" creamware (earthenware) hand painted platter with rare early impressed "WEDGWOOD" mark. Superb condition but for...
Creamware
Georgian Derby Porcelain Serving Dish or Bowl Hand-Painted, Fully Marked Ca 1815
By Derby
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good oval shaped serving dish or bowl, made by the Derby factory, hand painted and gilded in a free flowing floral pattern, during the reign of George 111 in the early 19th century, circa 1815. This is a well potted oval shaped dish or bowl with a vertically fluted and moulded side edge and rim, sitting on a low foot. The piece is beautifully hand decorated in a free flowing manner, in one of Derby's Imari style floral Patterns, with enamels of cobalt blue, burnt orange, pink and yellow, all in varying shades. It has then been hand gilded, with gold detail to some of the flowers, blue leaf, the inner border and the outer rim. The dish has the early Derby...
Porcelain
Georgian Masons Ironstone deep Pie Dish in chinoiserie pattern, Ca 1815
By Mason's Ironstone
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This a Georgian, early 19th century Deep Dish or Pie / Serving Dish made by Mason's Ironstone in the small vase, flowers and rock gilded chinoiserie pattern, dating to circa 1815. T...
Ironstone
Rare Large Antique English Early 19th C. Wedgwood Queensware 'Creamware' Bowl
By Wedgwood
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Rare & Important Antique English Large Wedgwood Queensware (Creamware) Centerpiece with influences by Robert Adam represented by the swags and fest...
Earthenware
19th Century Wedgwood Majolica Dish
By Wedgwood
Located in High Point, NC
19th century Wedgwood Majolica dish in the shape of a leaf, with a central medallion surrounded by a vine pattern. Lovely form.
Pottery
Georgian Miles Mason Porcelain Deep Plate or Dish hand painted Ptn 153, Ca 1805
By Miles Mason Porcelain
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a porcelain, hand painted and gilded deep plate or saucer dish made by Miles Mason (Mason's), Staffordshire Potteries, England in the very early years of the 19th century, Ge...
Porcelain
