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.
Wedgwood Majolica Bird & Fan Argenta Plate
By Josiah Wedgwood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Wedgwood, a Bird and Fan pattern plate in the Aesthetic taste, England, date marked 1878. In the larger dinner plate size, a bird and fan motif with Dogwood tree branches and b...
Earthenware
Joseph Holdcroft English Majolica Flying Crane Turquoise Plate
By Joseph Holdcroft
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An English majolica plate, The Flying Crane, by Joseph Holdcroft, Circa 1870. Designed in the Aesthetic Japonisme taste, the crane is centered on a turquoise pebbled ground with a border of prunus, or pink Dogwood branches stemming from the brown branch form rim. Showing the unusual green glazing on the verso, distinctive to Holdcroft majolica. Book reference,’The Collectors Encyclopedia of Majolica’ by Mariann Katz-Marks, page 95. Joseph Holdcroft held several patents for the production of earthenware. He was employed by Minton where he became proficient in the manufacture of majolica. Holdcroft established the Sunderland Pottery...
Earthenware
Josiah Wedgwood Majolica Multi-Color Leaf on Basket Handled Server
By Josiah Wedgwood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A majolica multi-colored glazed fringed leaf on basket weave handled server, Josiah Wedgwood, Burslem, England – circa 1870. A leaf shaped molded shallow bowl with a pierced twig ha...
Earthenware
Wedgwood Majolica Japonisme Cobalt Blue Pickle and Fork Plate, Dated 1879
By Josiah Wedgwood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Wedgwood, a scarce Cobalt blue majolica glazed Pickle Plate, date marked 1879. From the English Aesthetic Movement Era, and in the Japonisme taste, six teardrop shaped wells,...
Earthenware
Josiah Wedgwood Majolica Multi-Color Leaf on Basket Handled Server
By Josiah Wedgwood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A majolica multi-colored glazed fringed leaf on basket weave handled server, Josiah Wedgwood, Burslem, England – circa 1870. A leaf shaped molded shallow bowl with a pierced twig ha...
Earthenware
English Fence & Ivy Majolica Crescent Plate, TC Brown-Westhead, Moore & Co.
By Bates, Brown-Westhead, & Moore
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rarer English Majolica crescent shaped plate from Thomas C. Brown-Westhead, Moore & Co., Cauldron Place, Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, England, circa 1865. A rustic pattern ...
Earthenware
19th Century Wedgwood Majolica Bird and Fan Plate
By Wedgwood
Located in High Point, NC
19th Century majolica bird and fan pattern plate from England. There is an impressed WEDGWOOD mark on the back of the plate. The colors are vibrant and lovely. There is a date lozeng...
Ceramic
19th Century Wedgwood Majolica Bird and Fan Plate
By Wedgwood
Located in High Point, NC
19th Century majolica bird and fan pattern plate from England. There is an impressed WEDGWOOD mark on the back of the plate. The colors are vibrant and lovely. There is a date lozeng...
Ceramic
19th Century Victorian Majolica Bird and Prunus Platter
Located in Austin, TX
19th-Century Victorian Majolica bird and Prunus platter with a bamboo border.
Ceramic
German Majolica Bird Plate, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
German Majolica Bird Plate, circa 1900.
Ceramic
Majolica Paradise Bird & Flowers Salins Plate, circa 1890
By Salins
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Paradise bird & flowers Salins plate, circa 1890.
Ceramic
Majolica Saint Amand Bird Plate, circa 1890
By Saint Amand
Located in Austin, TX
Lovely Majolica plate with bird and insect, leaves signed Saint Amand, circa 1890.
Ceramic
