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.
Cantagalli Italian Majolica Hand Painted Reticulate Edge Floral Plates, set of 6
By Cantagalli
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From The Cantagalli Pottery in Florence, Italy, a set of six hand painted reticulated earthenware plates, showing the Crowing Rooster mark used in the early 20th Century. Beautiful...
Earthenware
Copeland Spode English Enameled Transferware Cactus Flower Dinner Plates S/6
By Copeland Spode
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of six Copeland Spode transfer printed and hand colored plates with embossed rims, Staffordshire, England, circa early 20th Century. A central image shows a black transfer of...
Ceramic
Sarreguemines French Faïence Majolica Fruit and Leaf Plates, Set of Six
By Faienceries Sarreguemines
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An assembled set of six Sarreguemines French faïence, majolica plates, each showing a different fruit on an ochre yellow ground of overlapping leaves, circa 1930s. This group shows ...
Faience
Wedgwood Hand Painted Burgundy & Green Leaf Plates, set of 10
By Wedgwood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of ten Burgundy and Green Leaf bordered plates, Wedgwood, England, circa 1910-1920. An earthenware mold with a running border of large green leaves on a lattice ground. Hand-...
Earthenware
Copeland Spode Fernleigh Pattern Floral Plates, Set of Six
By Copeland Spode
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Copeland Spode – in the Fernleigh pattern, a set of six plates, Stoke-On-Trent, England, discontinued in the early 1960s. Made of Earthenware and transfer printed with hand-col...
Earthenware
Sarreguemines French Faïence Majolica Fruit and Leaf Plates, Set of Six
By Faienceries Sarreguemines
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An assembled set of six Sarreguemines French faïence, majolica plates, each showing a different fruit on an ochre yellow ground of overlapping leaves, circa 1930s. This group shows ...
Faience
Six Wedgwood Majolica Argenta 'Lincoln' Pattern Dessert Dishes
By Wedgwood
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Six Wedgwood majolica Argenta palette ‘Lincoln' pattern dessert plates with finely molded maroon prunus blossoms and dark taupe pine branches surrounded by a yellow Greek key border. The dishes are decorated in the japonisme style and feature the “Three Friends of Winter” motif, an Asian artistic convention showing the pine, plum, and bamboo together to represent steadfastness, perseverance, and resilience. The Wedgwood factory introduced muted Argenta glazes to its majolicas in the 1880s to keep up with ever-changing fashions. The Argenta glaze color palette was more subdued than that of traditionally vibrant majolica, and was thus more appealing to the Aesthetic Movement japonisme style that pervaded the market. These Argenta majolica dessert dishes...
Earthenware, Majolica
French 19th Century Majolica Plates with Raised Decor of Strawberries and Leaves
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of French Majolica strawberry plates from the 19th century, with pink, green and blue accents, priced and sold individually. Each of these eight French plates features a delica...
Majolica
Bordallo Pinheiro Majolica Plates With Strawberry Leaf Motif - Set of Five
Located in Land O' Lakes, FL
A charming set of five vintage Bordallo Pinheiro plates, beautifully executed in the maker’s iconic Portuguese majolica. Each plate features a richly molded green basket weave border...
Porcelain
Wedgwood & Co, England. Set of 8 faience deep plates with oriental motif.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Wedgwood & Co, England 8 small deep plates, Chinese style. Faience deep plates with decorative oriental motif in multicoloured transfer, typical of English production inspired by Chi...
Faience
Set of 10 Vintage Sarreguemines Majolica Asparagus Plates
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A set of 10 vintage Sarreguemines Majolica asparagus serving plates, from the beginning of the 20th century. Each of these fine earthenware plates has two raised, decorated dividers,...
Majolica
Set of 5 Majolica Plates, France, 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
A beautiful set of five antique French majolica plates, featuring an elegant relief design of vine leaves, grape clusters, and branches. Their rich palette of greens, browns, and cre...
Majolica
