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.
Wedgwood Majolica Japonisme Cobalt Blue Pickle and Fork Plate, Dated 1879
By Josiah Wedgwood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Wedgwood, a scarce Cobalt blue majolica glazed Pickle Plate, date marked 1879. From the English Aesthetic Movement Era, and in the Japonisme taste, six teardrop shaped wells,...
Earthenware
French Palissy François Maurice Majolica Lobster Wall Plaque, Circa 1870
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Palissy School of Paris Majolica hanging wall plaque, France, modeled by François Maurice, circa 1870-1875. Modeled from life, this extremely dimensional and realistic piece is gl...
Earthenware
French Faïence Sarreguemines Barbotine Turquoise Hand Painted Asparagus Plate
By Sarreguemines
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Faïence asparagus plate, showing a group of five asparagus spears spread across a turquoise ground. A hand painted border line and a faint basketweave pattern on the rim. Gr...
Earthenware
1900s Bohemia Porcelain Teal Blue Gilded Rose Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A deep porcelain plate with pink roses and a gilded leaf border, Bohemia, circa 1900. A rich Teal blue ground fading towards the center which shows a hand-painted bouquet of pink an...
Porcelain
Antique S. Fielding Majolica Oyster Plate, Turquoise & Brown, 1878
By S. Fielding Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A six-well Majolica glazed oyster plate by S. Fielding & Co. Ltd., Stoke-on-Trent, England, circa 1878. Turquoise oyster wells surround a central con...
Earthenware
Joseph Holdcroft English Majolica Flying Crane Turquoise Plate
By Joseph Holdcroft
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An English majolica plate, The Flying Crane, by Joseph Holdcroft, Circa 1870. Designed in the Aesthetic Japonisme taste, the crane is centered on a turquoise pebbled ground with a border of prunus, or pink Dogwood branches stemming from the brown branch form rim. Showing the unusual green glazing on the verso, distinctive to Holdcroft majolica. Book reference,’The Collectors Encyclopedia of Majolica’ by Mariann Katz-Marks, page 95. Joseph Holdcroft held several patents for the production of earthenware. He was employed by Minton where he became proficient in the manufacture of majolica. Holdcroft established the Sunderland Pottery...
Earthenware
19th Century Victorian Majolica Lobster Plate Wedgwood
By Wedgwood
Located in Austin, TX
Victorian Majolica lobster plate signed Wedgwood. Border decorated with vegetables.
Ceramic
A Wedgwood Majolica Red Lobster Plate on Cobalt Ground, English, Dated 1882
By Wedgwood
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A Wedgwood Majolica Lobster Plate, with the central figure of a red-glazed lobster on sea greens on a cobalt blue ground, and with relief molded...
Majolica
19th Century Austrian Majolica Schutz Cilli Blansko Crawfish / Lobster Plate
By Schütz Cilli
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique Austrian Majolica crawfish / Lobster plate circa 1890 signed Schutz Cilli Age is approximate. No noted restoration or repairs. Good condition for age. A beautiful plate.
Majolica, Pottery
French Majolica Lobster Platter Choisy Le Roi Circa 1930
By Choisy-le-Roi
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Lobster ,Shrimp and frog Platter HB Choisy Le Roi Circa 1930. The manufacture of Choisy le Roi was one of the most important manufacture at the end of 19th century, t...
Ceramic, Majolica
Vintage Regency French Majolica Lobster Plate
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Indulge in the opulent whimsy of the 19th-century naturalist aesthetic with this spectacular vintage Palissy-style majolica plate. Following the tradition of Bernard Palissy's "rusti...
Ceramic
French Majolica Lobster Plate Choisy Le Roi Circa 1930
By Choisy-le-Roi
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Lobster Plate HB Choisy Le Roi Circa 1930. The manufacture of Choisy le Roi was one of the most important manufacture at the end...
Majolica, Ceramic
