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
Memory Bowl, Black by Cristoforo Trapani
By Cristoforo Trapani
Located in Geneve, CH
Memory bowl - black by Cristoforo Trapani Magnolia table Collection Dimensions: 17 x 8.5 cm Materials: Nero Marquinia Also available: Red (Rosso Levanto) Contemporary chefs ...
Marble
Vintage Ceramic Stoneware Bowl David Gil Bennington Potters Black Agate
By David Gil, Bennington Potters
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage ceramic stoneware bowl designed by David Gil for Bennington Potters. This specific wide-rimmed centerpiece piece is known as the #1915L mixing or s...
Earthenware, Pottery
Black marble carved large Bowl
By Capital Studio
Located in Mexico City, MX
Bowl in carved Monterrey black marble. Handmade in Mexico by local craftsmen. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-14 weeks for marble pieces. Shipping +10 additi...
Marble
Monterrey Black Marble Carved Small Bowl
By Capital Studio
Located in Mexico City, MX
Small bowl in carved Monterrey black marble. Handmade in México by local craftsmen. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-14 weeks for marble pieces. Shipping +1...
Marble
$620
H 5.13 in Dm 13.25 in
Beautiful Large Ebonized & Cerused Dark Oak Centerpiece Bowl by Stinson Studios
Located in Red Lion, PA
This exceptional large centerpiece bowl by Stinson Studios embodies the timeless elegance of modern organic design with its bold sculptural presence and richly textured finish. Handc...
Oak
$385
H 0.38 in Dm 3 in
Wedgwood Black Basalt Jewelry Dish Terracotta Amphora Neoclassical Style English
By Wedgwood
Located in New York, NY
Wedgwood Black Basalt Dish with Terracotta Amphora Medallion, England, 1930s A beautiful detailed diminutive black basalt (pin) dish by Wedgwood, featuring a central terracotta meda...
Stoneware
Black Ceramic Bowl - Carl-Harry Stålhane - Rörstrand - Mid 20th century
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely black mid-century bowl in ceramic from Rörstrand, Sweden, designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane. The bowl is marked as 1st quality and it is in excellent condition. Carl-Harry S...
Ceramic
Black marble carved large Ming
By Casa Mineral
Located in Mexico City, MX
Ming in carved Monterrey black marble. Handmade in Mexico by local craftsmen. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-14 weeks for marble pieces. Shipping +10 additi...
Marble
Lotuso Black Marble Decorative Bowl by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Lotuso Black Marble Decorative Bowl by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: D 31 x W 31 x H 8 cm. Materials: Black marble. Different marble and ceramic options available. Custom options available on request. Please contact us. Our mission is to encourage people to make their home the best place to be, to get inspired and to receive friends and family. Designed and manufactured by ourselves, we offer lightings to help people creating distinctive living spaces. Enhancing the authenticity of natural and organic materials using associations and contrasts. Extreme quality behind a facade of ultra-minimalism. We find our materials to the source to ensure we give the best value...
Marble
Very Large Mochaware Bowl with Cable Decoration England Mid-19th Century
Located in Katonah, NY
This mochaware bowl measures 11.25 inches in diameter and was produced in Staffordshire, England in the early 19th century. Bowls of this scale are unco...
Creamware
Antique Wedgwood Creamware Basket and Stand England Circa 1820
Located in Katonah, NY
This elegant Wedgwood creamware basket retains its original matching stand, an increasingly difficult combination to find together. Made in England circa 1820, both the basket and st...
Creamware
Chinese Famille Noire Stoneware Plate Late Qing Circa 1880
Located in Katonah, NY
This Chinese Famille Noire stoneware dish, hand-painted in the Late Qing dynasty, circa 1880. The strength of this piece lies in its color harmony, the depth of the black field, and ...
Stoneware
Wedgwood Egyptian Revival Ale Jug Black Basalt Rosso Antico
By Wedgwood
Located in Katonah, NY
This special edition Wedgwood ale jug is decorated in Egyptian Revival style, showing a sphinx to either side of a firebird in flight. The material is Wedwood's Black Basalt stonewar...
Stoneware
Wedgwood Drabware Sugar Bowl and Stand with Gilt Trim, England Circa 1825
By Wedgwood
Located in Katonah, NY
This Wedgwood drabware sugar bowl and stand possesses a quiet richness that rewards close looking. Made in Staffordshire, England, circa 1825, it exemplifies Wedgwood’s mastery of re...
Earthenware
Antique Wedgwood Creamware Dish Hand Painted, England Circa 1780
By Josiah Wedgwood
Located in Katonah, NY
This shaped Wedgwood creamware dish, hand-painted circa 1780, presents the quiet elegance characteristic of late 18th-century English creamware. The gently undulating rim frames a so...
Creamware
