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.
$900
H 20 in W 26 in D 17.5 in
Early 20th Century Louis XV Style French Marble Top Walnut Marquetry Side Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1920 and built of walnut, the oval table sits on four cabriole legs decorated with brass mounts at the shoulders, ending with bronze sabots. The Louis XV side...
Marble
$10,800
H 24.5 in W 16.75 in D 14.5 in
French 18th Century Louis XV Period Kingwood and White Carrara Marble Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A unique and extremely decorative French 18th century Louis XV period kingwood and white Carrara marble side table. The clover shaped table is rais...
Carrara Marble
$1,800
H 30.25 in Dm 26 in
19th Century French Round Carrara Marble Top Side Table with Ribbon Marquetry
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Louis XVI period round Carrera marble-top bouillotte table with elaborate ribbon marquetry. Two drawers and two pull-out tirelles or slides. White Carrera marble top is surrounded by...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
19th Century Mahogany Louis XVI Side Table with Marble Top
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a lovely late 19th century mahogany side table with an oval rouge marble top framed by a pierced brass gallery over a conforming parquetry frieze with central drawer, raised ...
Marble
$2,400
H 21 in W 23.5 in D 15.5 in
French Louis XV Marble Top Side Table with Inlaid Wood Apron and Brass Gallery
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant French Louis XV accent table that may be used as a side table or small coffee table or cocktail table. Exquisite chevron parquetry inlay on the apron on all four sides, with ...
Marble, Brass
$15,343
H 29.53 in W 31.5 in D 18.51 in
Wedgwood-Style Jasperware, Ormolu and Marble Mounted Two-Tiered Side Table
By Wedgwood
Located in London, GB
Wedgwood-style jasperware, ormolu and marble mounted two-tiered side table French, Late 19th Century Height 75cm, width 80cm, depth 47cm This superb two-tiered side table is adorned with beautifully crafted Wedgwood-style jasperware plaques and ormolu (gilt bronze) mounts. The richly veined marble table top beautifully complements the colour palette of blues, whites and browns created by the plaques and wood. Vibrant ormolu mounts frame the specimen stone tabletop, plaques, sides and legs. Wedgwood is the renowned English manufacturer of fine china and porcelain...
Marble, Ormolu
$2,195
H 29.5 in W 17.75 in D 13 in
19th Century French Louis XVI Marquetry Kingwood Inset Marble Top with Lock
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century French Louis XVI Kingwood Marquetry and Marble Insrt Top with Lock and working key for all three flawlessly opening and closing drawers. 17.75" in width, 13" in depth...
Kingwood
$2,195
H 30.75 in W 21.5 in D 13 in
Vernis Martin Style Satinwood Inlaid and Mahogany Decorated Side Table
By Wellington Hall Ltd
Located in Germantown, MD
Vernis Martin Style Satinwood Inlaid, hand-painted, cross-banded and Decorated mahogany Side Table. Features one top large drawer and two smaller lower drawers separated by a small k...
Hardwood, Paint, Mahogany, Satinwood
$2,950
H 29.25 in W 15.5 in D 17 in
19th Century French Louis XV Gueridon Table, Marble Top, Circa 1850
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Charming 19 c. French Marquetry Gueridon with rare shield shape marble top and bronze adornments.
Marble
19th Century Louis XVI Style Marble Top Marquetry Bouillotte Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive 19th century French bouillotte table or games table crafted in the grand Louis XVI taste. The round table features a rare Turquin-Incarnat marble top inset in a fantastic...
Marble, Brass
18th C Style Thomas W. Morgan Trompe l'Oeil Center Table W Giltwood Eagles
By Thomas W. Morgan
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
18th C Style Thomas W. Morgan Trompe l'Oeil Center Table W Giltwood Eagles
Giltwood
18th C Style George III Inlaid Demilune Console Table by Burton-Ching
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
18th C Style George III Mahogany Inlaid Demilune Table by Burton-Ching
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique Hideaway House Beverly Hills Marble Top Nightstand End or Side Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Hideaway House Beverly hills marble top nightstand end or side table Additional information: Materials: Marble, Wood Color: Antique White Period: 19th century Styles:...
Marble
George III Style Chinese Chippendale Console or Serving Table by Burton-Ching
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
George III Style Chinese Chippendale Mahogany Console or Serving Table by Burton-Ching
Walnut
Biedermeier Style Charles Pollock for William Switzer Side Table
By Charles Pollock
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Biedermeier style Charles Pollock for William Switzer side table. It features a dramatic cabriolet leg with ebonized wood. Priced each. Additional information: Materials: fruitw...
Fruitwood
Antique Regence Style Oak & Marble Table, Early 19 Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Early 19th century Regence style oak & marble table Provenance: The estate of Don Rickles. Additional information: Materials: Marble, Oak ...
Marble
