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.
$425
H 3.75 in Dm 7.75 in
Mid-Century Wedgwood Black Jasperware Basalt Glaze Pottery Neoclassical Bowl
By Wedgewood
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a petite black jasperware Wedgwood bowl with white neoclassical themed raised relief. It is often called the sacrifice bowl. It dates...
Pottery
Estate English Wedgwood Bowl circa 1950
Located in New Orleans, LA
Estate English Wedgewood Bowl circa 1950.
Porcelain
Wedgwood Queensware Embossed Footed Bowl, England
By Wedgwood
Located in Delft, NL
Wedgwood Queensware embossed footed bowl, England A Wedgwood Queensware embossed footed bowl with Greek scene and gadroon patterned foot Marked...
Porcelain
19th Century Greek Revival Copeland Spode Bowl
By Copeland Spode
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A vibrant Neoclassical Revival decorative bowl in the 'Greek' pattern made by Copeland Spode in the late 19th century. Sir William Hamilton’s Collection of Etruscan, Greek and Roman antiquities, first published in 1766 by Pierre d’Hancarville, was a landmark publication in English design. It intended to disseminate the Antique style through its engravings of Attic pottery. The catalog’s faithful reproductions of Classical vases led British potteries, including Spode, to adapt or even copy the ancient art for modern life. This Copeland Spode Greek...
Earthenware, Pearlware
1930s Wedgwood Lustreware Basket
By Wedgwood
Located in Stamford, CT
Antique 1930s Wedgwood lustre ware open basket. Bone China with hand painted silver and blue floral design. Brand stamp on the underside.
Porcelain
Vintage Enoch Wedgwood Porcelain Bowl, Mid-20th Century
By Enoch Wedgwood
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Enoch Wedgwood bowl is an elegant porcelain decorative object, realized during the 20th century and realized by Wedgwood and Co. This very elegant salad bowl is decorated with the typical garnish of the manufacture Wedgwood, blue and white colored. This is a rare item in Asiatic Pheasants...
Porcelain
$950 / set
H 1.75 in Dm 9 in
Set of Three Early 19th Century Wedgwood Creamware Pattern No. 892 Serving Bowls
By Wedgwood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare group of wedgwood creamware bowls. In the neoclassical pattern no. 892 with a cobalt blue and gold border. Diameters: just under 9 in., just over 8 3/4 in., and just ove...
Creamware
Wedgwood Blue Jasperware "Sacrifice" Bowl
By Wedgwood
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
This Wedgwood blue Jasperware “Sacrifice” bowl is a fine example of the firm’s iconic Neoclassical design tradition. Crafted in England from unglazed, fine-grained Jasperware stonewa...
Stoneware
English Wedgwood fruit basket with stand, 1861
By Wedgwood
Located in Delft, NL
English Wedgwood fruit basket with stand, 1861 Cream-colored fruit basket on a stand. Glazed with a very light blue-tint. The round base has a narrow, sloping rim with elongated hol...
Earthenware
1920s Daisy Makeig-Jones Wedgwood Creamware Bowl
By Daisy Makeig-Jones, Wedgwood
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A Wedgwood Queensware bowl designed by Daisy Makeig-Jones in the Istria pattern after an ancient Greek vase from Sir William Hamilton’s collection. This ‘Istria’ pattern bowl by Wed...
Ceramic, Creamware, Pottery
1891-1911 Limoges Porcelain Punch Bowl with Original Stand
By T&V Limoges
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Limoges porcelain punch bowl with original stand, 1891-1911. T&V Limoges green mark; Tressemann & Vogt. Art Nouveau handpainted clover & strawberry pattern, heavily gilded & very goo...
Porcelain
Circa 1780 Neoclassical Luneville Faience Basket
By Luneville
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1780 Luneville neoclassical reticulated faience basket with typical floral spray central reserve & rose pink edge, the exterior latticework sprinkled with rose & yellow florets...
Faience
Circa 1900 English Pilkington Royal Lancastrian Pottery Low Luster Bowl
By Pilkington's Royal Lancastrian Pottery Company
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A Pilkington Royal Lancastrian pottery low luster bowl, English, circa 1900. Scratch "P" under glaze mark. The white inner ring (with tiny chip) suggests a lacking flower frog or oth...
Luster, Pottery
Circa 1750 P. VandertStrom's Pottery De Vergulde Blompot Delft Fruit Bowl
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1750 Delft blue & white deep serving dish or fruit bowl. By P. VanderStrom's pottery de vergulde Blompot (The Golden Flower Pot). Simply decorated in the peacock feather fan in...
Delft
Late 19th Century Bronze Tazza Likely by Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Levillain, F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Later 19th century large French bronze tazza with central medallion & handles. The central medallion sculpted by Ferdinand Levillain (1837-1905) of Menalcas & Mopsus from Vir...
Bronze
Late 19th Century Wedgwood Green Majolica Sweetmeat Dish
By Wedgewood
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 19th century Wedgwood Green Majolica Sweetmeat Dish. Oblong shaped form. Designed as a basket with strawberry leaves - excellent decoration with shading for depth. Stamped: Wedg...
Porcelain
