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.
$883
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
$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
$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
$1,060
H 11.23 in Dm 5.32 in
A ceramic vase with black glaze decoration by Accolay potters, cica 1960- 1970
By Accolay Pottery
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A ceramic vase with black glaze decoration by the Accolay potters. Perfect original conditions. Signed under the base " Accolay ". Circa 1960-1970. Hauteur : 28.5 X 13.5 cm Height : ...
Ceramic
Upsala-Ekeby, Vase, Black-Glazed Earthenware, Sweden, 1940s
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in High Point, NC
A black, glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala-Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 6.31"H x 5.87"W x 5.87"D All items ship from High Point, North ...
Earthenware
Louise Powell Modernist Matte Black Vase
By Wedgwood
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A hand-painted matte black vase by Louise Powell for Wedgwood, circa 1930s, elegantly decorated with silver berries on a matte black ground. Louise Powell, née Lessore, came from an...
Earthenware
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
$760Sale Price|20% Off
H 17.5 in W 8.5 in D 8.5 in
Large Antique Chinese High Glaze Black Pottery Temple Jar C1930
Located in Big Flats, NY
Large Antique Chinese High Glaze Black Pottery Temple Jar C1930 Measures- 17.5"H x 8.5"W x 8.5"D
Pottery
Herman August Kähler Antique Ceramic Floor Vase in Black Lustre Glaze
By Herman August Kähler
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Piece unique large vase or floor vase from the workshop of Herman August Kähler. It displays a rare satin black glaze with slate mirror-like effects. It was made circa 1920-25 and ha...
Ceramic
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
Pair of Antique Wedgwood & Bentley Black Basalt Jars England, Circa 1775
By Wedgwood & Bentley
Located in Katonah, NY
This pair of Wedgwood & Bentley black basalt urns was crafted at the renowned Etruria factory around 1775. They show the refined simplicity of Wedgwood's 18th-century neoclassical de...
Stoneware
Pair Black and Gold Staffordshire Pottery Vases Circa 1880
By Staffordshire
Located in Katonah, NY
This pair of black Staffordshire pottery vases has a bold, architectural presence. The glossy black ground and burnished gold handles create immediate contrast, while mythological s...
Pottery
Chinese Stoneware Sculpture with Honeycomb Relief and Hidden Bee Motif
Located in Katonah, NY
This Chinese stoneware sculpture is decorated with bold honeycomb relief and flowing brown glazes over warm buff stoneware. The glaze was allowed to run freely during firing, creati...
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
Dutch Delft Blue and White Covered Vase The Axe Mark Circa 1770
By The Axe
Located in Katonah, NY
This Dutch Delft covered vase was hand painted circa 1770 and bears the mark of De Porceleyne Bijl, known as “The Axe.” The form has a traditional shaped baluster body with a domed c...
Delft, Faience
