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.
$886
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
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
$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
Wedgwood Black and Gilt Basalt Covered Potpourri Vase, circa 1870
Located in New York, NY
A wedgwood black and gilt basalt covered Potpourri vase, circa 1870.
Ceramic
Large Wedgwood Solid Black Basalt Neoclassical Jardiniere
By Wedgwood
Located in Doraville, GA
Wedgwood black basalt jardiniere, made in England around 1900. The jardiniere has a floral banded border above fruiting grapevine festoons terminatin...
Ceramic
$360Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.5 in W 3 in D 3 in
Antique Wedgwood Classical Black Basalt Pottery Vase Unsigned C1860
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Wedgwood Classical Black Basalt Pottery Vase C1860. Measures - 7.5"H x 3"W x 3"D. An example of Wedgwood's classical black basalt pottery, this vase dates to circa 1860...
Pottery
Wedgwood Black and White Jasper "Pegasus" Covered Vase, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
The black jasper ovoid body decorated in white relief with the Apotheosis of Virgil after John Flaxman, the shoulder with snake handles above Medusa masks,...
Porcelain
Bohemian black glass vase decorated with Grecian figures circa 1890
Located in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
Bohemian Black Glass Decanter with Classical Roman Warrior Frieze, circa 1890 A striking and highly decorative late 19th-century Bohemian glass d...
Enamel
Wedgewood Black Basalt Stone Urn
By Wedgewood
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wedgewood encaustic painted , matte finished black basalt stone urn. Hand painted decoration with 2 scenes. Egyptian Revival style. Circa 1790-1820.
Stone
French 19th Century Neoclassical Black Marble Baluster Vase
Located in Berlin, DE
French 19th century neoclassical black marble baluster vase Impressive neoclassical tall baluster-shaped vase made of polished black marble, showin...
Belgian Black Marble
