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.
Pair of Wedgwood Black Basalt Two-Handled Vases, circa 1900
Located in New York, NY
Decorated with a frieze of classical figures between a berried vine border and upright acanthus leaves. The neck similarly decorated with pendant trophies between upright handles.
Ceramic
Wedgwood Black Basalt Two-Handled Urn
By Wedgwood
Located in New Orleans, LA
A remarkable example of Josiah Wedgwood's legendary ceramic art, the importance and rarity of this urn vase simply cannot be overstated. Black basalt refers to the fine-grained stoneware developed by Josiah Wedgwood in the 1760s that was inspired by the hard, natural stone known as Egyptian basalt...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$885
H 7.09 in W 2.37 in D 2.37 in
Small Early 19th-Century Wedgwood Balck Basalt Vase on a square base
By Wedgwood
Located in Madrid, EX
This early 19th-century Wedgwood black basalt vase is a rare find...beautifully proportioned and irresistibly versatile. Its rich, matte finish complements...
Stoneware
$12,500
H 18 in W 6 in D 6 in
Exhibited 18th Century Wedgwood & Bentley Black Basalt Ware Four-Handled Vase
By Wedgwood & Bentley
Located in Asheville, NC
Etruria, Staffordshire, c.1780, thrown in four parts and bolted to a plinth built of five small slabs, decorated by molded handles with horned returns to high relief goats’ masks with drapery festoons, circular seal at bolt impressed “WEDGWOOD & BENTLEY: ETRURIA,” 18 in. Provenance: Dr. Ellis F. Rubin & Suzanne Borow Rubin. Exhibited at the Mint Museum in Charlotte, NC in 2020 and illustrated in “Classic Black: The Basalt Sculptures of Wedgwood...
Pottery
Pair of English Black Basalt Earthenware Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of English (19th Cent) black basalt earthenware trumpet shaped vases with floral relief (minor chip to 1 rim) (PRICED AS PAIR)
Earthenware
Pair of Neoclassical Black and White Giustiniani Urns
By Giustiniani Family 1
Located in New York, NY
Pair of neoclassical black and white Giustiniani urns with contrasting foliate rims and scrolled handles on low plinths. Italy, circa 1780s. Dimensions: 7.75" H x 4.5" W handle to ha...
Porcelain
$4,800 / set
H 29 in W 27 in D 18 in
Antique Pair of Neoclassical Cast Iron Garden Urns, Black Finish, Circa 1890
Located in Stamford, CT
Antique Pair of Neoclassical Cast Iron Garden Urns, Circa 1890. This sophisticated set of late 19th-century garden urns captures the timeless elegance of Neoclassical design. Each ur...
Cast Iron
Pair of Renaissance Revival Bronze Black Painted Vases
Located in Rome, IT
Impressive pair of black patinated bronze vases in the style of Renaissance. Finely decorated handles with a satyr figure, over with a and body surrounded by bacchanal scenes. Exquis...
Bronze
$2,596 / set
H 15.36 in Dm 5.32 in
Pair of Classical Greek Black Patina Bronze Vases, Italy, 19th Century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Pair Of Black Patina Bronze Vases, 19th Century
Bronze
18th Century Pair Wedgwood Black Basalt Ware Triton Candlesticks
By Josiah Wedgwood
Located in Asheville, NC
Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, 1780-1795, hollow-molded basalt stoneware, each mirror-formed triton figure depicted holding a whirlpool-handled torch with floriform capital, kneeling upon a flora-covered bolder, respectively impressed underneath "Wedgwood" and "WEDGWOOD," tallest 11 in. A similar pair were exhibited in 2020 at the Mint Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina, and are illustrated on page 140 of the accompanying literature, "Classic Black: The Basalt Sculpture of Wedgwood...
Stoneware
Pair of Antique Wedgwood & Bentley Black Basalt Jars England, Circa 1775
By Wedgwood & Bentley
Located in Katonah, NY
This pair of Wedgwood & Bentley black basalt urns was crafted at the renowned Etruria factory around 1775. They show the refined simplicity of Wedgwood's 18th-century neoclassical de...
Stoneware
Pair Black and Gold Staffordshire Pottery Vases Circa 1880
By Staffordshire
Located in Katonah, NY
This pair of black Staffordshire pottery vases has a bold, architectural presence. The glossy black ground and burnished gold handles create immediate contrast, while mythological s...
Pottery
Wedgwood Egyptian Revival Ale Jug Black Basalt Rosso Antico
By Wedgwood
Located in Katonah, NY
This special edition Wedgwood ale jug is decorated in Egyptian Revival style, showing a sphinx to either side of a firebird in flight. The material is Wedwood's Black Basalt stonewar...
Stoneware
Pair Old Paris Porcelain Vases France Empire Style Circa 1840
Located in Katonah, NY
This pair of Old Paris porcelain mantel vases stands out immediately for its remarkable mirror-bright gilding, a luminous surface that captures and reflects light in the luxurious ma...
Porcelain
2 Pairs Antique Porcelain Statues 18th C. Le Nove Metropolitan Museum Collection
By Carlo Ginori
Located in Katonah, NY
Provenance: The Metropolitan Museum in New York has in its collection a similar Le Nove Porcelain pair of courting figures. Accession Number: 06.381. Factory: ...
Porcelain
Pair Antique Wedgwood Creamware Tureens Neoclassical England Circa 1820
By Wedgwood
Located in Katonah, NY
A pair of Wedgwood creamware sauce tureens with original attached underplates and spoons, made circa 1820 in the refined Neoclassical style popular during the Regency era. Each turee...
Creamware
