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.
Set of Seven Wedgwood Apprey Celadon Saucers
By Wedgwood
Located in New York, NY
Set of seven Wedgwood Apprey celadon saucers. Seven saucers/small plates in the rare Apprey pattern of the early 20th century in pale celadon featuring...
Creamware
Set of Eight Wedgwood Creamware Plates
By Wedgwood
Located in New York, NY
Set of eight Wedgwood creamware plates. Eight large creamware decorated dinner plates with a bold hand-painted floral border in orange and gre...
Creamware
Wedgwood Apprey Celadon Chinoiserie Tea Set
By Wedgwood
Located in New York, NY
Wedgwood celadon Apprey chinoiserie tea set. Charming and rare individual tea set with one serving lidded teapot, small plate/underplate, handle-less ...
Creamware
Pair Large Wedgwood Creamware Serving Plates
By Wedgwood
Located in New York, NY
Pair large Wedgwood creamware serving plates. Pair Wedgwood creamware serving plates with blue band and gilt rim. Impressed mark "Wedgwood" with underglaze blue 1039 W. England, circ...
Creamware
Pair Wedgwood Chinoiserie Plates
By Wedgwood
Located in New York, NY
Pair Wedgwood chinoiserie plates. Rare pair of early Wedgwood chinoiserie pearlware plates with fantastical Oriental imagery in cobalt underglaze ...
Pearlware
Set of Six Wedgwood Yellow Plates
By Wedgwood
Located in New York, NY
Set of six Wedgwood yellow plates. Six vintage creamware shallow bowls/plates in "Cane" yellow with impressed and stamped marks for Wedgwood. England...
Creamware
Royal Doulton Luncheon Plates, Set of 14
By Royal Doulton
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a charming set of 14 Royal Doulton hand painted luncheon plates that date to the early 20th century. The scolloped rims of the plates are decorated with a beautiful hand-pain...
Porcelain
WEDGWOOD - Four Embossed Queen's Ware Plates - United Kingdom - Circa 1950's
By Wedgwood
Located in Chatham, ON
WEDGWOOD - Set of four vintage Embossed Queen's Ware ceramic plates - signed on the back (green printed back stamp circa 1940-1974 and impressed mark) - United Kingdom - circa 1950's...
Ceramic
Wedgwood Runnymede Turquoise Pink Shells, Floral Center 71 Pcs Dinner Set
By Wedgwood
Located in Germantown, MD
71 piece dinner set by Wedgwood with turquoise band and the rare pink shell model with Floral Center. Model W4465 Wedgwood Runnymede Turquoise (Pin...
Bone, Porcelain
Haviland Limoges Hand Painted Art Deco Porcelain Plates Water Lilies
By Haviland & Co.
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Set of 4 unique, antique plates was made by Haviland & Cie in Limoges, France. The plates were hand painted by a professional artist in a decorating studio with Art Deco motif of five water lilies on pale blue background. Calm blue and green colors are accentuated by bright yellow centers of the flowers and the gold rims. The advent of Arts and Craft Movement created the notion that the aesthetic quality of everyday utilitarian objects could be improved by merit of craftsmanship, and many painters and artists felt inspired to merge their activities into decorative arts, such as ceramics, decor objects, or dinnerware. Large number of wholesale and retail firms, such as Pickard, Stouffer, or Brauer studios, and many high-end department stores that carried factory decorated Limoges's porcelain, had their own china decorating departments and produced high quality hand painted porcelain. Undecorated Haviland china...
Porcelain, Ceramic
Royal Copenhagen, "4 All Seasons". Set of four dinner plates in faience
Located in København, Copenhagen
Royal Copenhagen, "4 All Seasons". A set of four dinner plates in faience with green glaze. Dating from 1991-1995. Marked. In perfect condition. Third factory quality. Dimensions: Di...
Faience
Royal Copenhagen, "4 All Seasons". Set of three dinner plates in faience
Located in København, Copenhagen
Royal Copenhagen, "4 All Seasons". A set of three dinner plates in faience with green glaze. Dating from 1991-1995. Marked. In perfect condition. Third factory quality. Dimensions: ...
Faience
