Arguably the most celebrated of all English ceramics makers, Wedgwood was founded in 1759 by potter Josiah Wedgwood (1730–95) in Staffordshire, which was home at one time to hundreds of pottery workshops. The company 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 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 Wedgwood pottery on 1stDibs.
$5,500
H 6 in W 5.25 in D 0.75 in
18th c. Wedgwood Portrait Medallion Plaque Bust of Benjamin Franklin Circa 1780
Located in Litchfield, CT
Antique 18th century Wedgwood portrait medallion plaque - bust of Benjamin Franklin circa 1780. White sprigging on solid blue oval plaque. After an i...
Pottery
$1,882
H 19.25 in W 16.3 in D 1.5 in
19th Century Framed Wall Sculpture / Portrait of William I. or Willem Van Oranje
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and remarkable sculpture of a famous Dutch figure of the House of Orange-Nassau. For the collectors of famous, Dutch historical figures, we are offering this extremely rare and highly decorative wall plaque depicting William I. or Prince of Orange (April 1533 - July 1584). His nickname 'William the Silent...
Oak
Wedgwood & Bentley Jasperware Portrait Medallion Of Rousseau
By Wedgwood & Bentley
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional blue and white jasperware plaque by Wedgwood & Bentley depicts Genevan writer, philosopher and composer Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Some of Wedgwood's most meticulous...
Porcelain
$1,353
H 5.71 in W 5.71 in D 0.6 in
Portrait Medallion of the Swedish king Karl XIV Johan, Empire, c. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Portrait Medallion of the Swedish king Karl XIV Johan, Empire, c. 1820s A beautiful portrait medallion in polished and dark-patinated bronze depicting King Karl XIV Johan of Sweden ...
Bronze
$9,800
H 9 in W 7 in D 1 in
Dore Mounted King Louis XVI Terracotta Portrait Plaque, Jean-Baptiste Nini, 1780
Located in New York, NY
Dore Bronze Mounted King Louis XVI Terracotta Portrait Plaque by Jean-Baptiste Nini, 1780 This remarkable and historically significant antique terracotta portrait plaque bears the s...
Gold, Bronze
$816Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.39 in W 11.03 in D 0.79 in
Antique Cameo Wall Plaque, English, Cast Iron, Duke of Wellington, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cameo wall plaque. An English, cast iron portrait of the 1st Duke of Wellington, dating to the Victorian period, engraved 1854. Arthur W...
Iron
18th Century, Italian Marble Relief Portrait
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful, Carrara marble relief portrait of a Cardinal in vestments, set in a 19th century, gray marble surround.
Carrara Marble
$1,294
H 0.99 in Dm 7.6 in
Plaster Medallion by A. Bérard – Bas-Relief of a Man with Sideburns, Early 19th
Located in NANTES, FR
**Plaster Medallion by A. Bérard – Bas-Relief of a Man with Sideburns, Early 19th Century – M3743** This plaster medallion comes from an artist’s studio and is signed **A. Bérard**....
Plaster
$6,500
H 17.75 in W 14 in D 1.5 in
Italian Oval Oil on Board Gilt Carved Wood Portrait of a Gentleman, Circa 1770
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian oval oil on board gilt carved wood portrait of a gentleman in the original floral and berry frame, 18th century.
Wood, Giltwood
Large 18th Century Italian Statuary Marble Portrait Medallion
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large 18th century Italian white statuary marble portrait medallion from the workshop of Orazio Marinali (1643-1720). One of two similar marble medallions we are selling, this pi...
Statuary Marble
