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Wedgwood China (Wedgwood)
Wedgwood China Plates, Bowls, Cups & Saucers, Tea Pots & Dinnerware Sets
Considered to be
England’s finest brand of china, Wedgwood China has endured the centuries and
continued to create excellent china products with design elements that transcend
a continuously changing range of styles. Founded in 1759 by Josiah Wedgwood
remembered as ‘the Father of English Potters’, was born in Burslem,
Staffordshire, in the heart of the English potteries. He served his
apprenticeship as a potter before setting up his own business in 1759.
By 1766 he had prospered sufficiently to build a new factory which he named
Etruria. Josiah was to sow the first seeds of the innovative spirit which
continues to be an integral part of Wedgwood. Wedgwood China grew into an
industry unto itself when in the 1700’s, Josiah created a cream colored
earthenware that was dubbed “Queen’s Ware.” Queen Charlotte of England has so
admired Wedgwood pieces that this particular color of china gained permission
from the Queen to be called as such., he also invented and produced what remain
today three of Wedgwood’s most famous ceramic bodies – in addition to Queen’s
Ware (1762), he developed Black Basalt (1768) and finally Jasper (1774) (known
today as Jasperware).
In the nineteenth century, important progress was made at the Wedgwood
factory in the use of new machinery, the introduction of the first colored
earthenware bodies and, most importantly, the manufacture of bone china.
Wedgwood bone china tableware was to grace the tables of many illustrious homes
throughout the world, including the dinner service which President Theodore
Roosevelt ordered for the White House.
During the 1930’s, when many English potteries were forced to close down due
to unfavorable conditions, Wedgwood’s success continued and in order to increase
efficiency, the fifth Josiah Wedgwood decided to build a new factory. A country
estate near the village of Barlaston was purchased and a new, modern factory was
built. Production started in the 1940’s and since then, the factory has expanded
to four times its original size. It is the British pottery industry’s most
up-to-date factory. Here, Wedgwood continues its living tradition of progress in
design, in production methods and in the skills of its many craftspeople.
Throughout the ages, Wedgwood has undergone a myriad of styles that have
solidified their place in the china industry. From the truly classic lines of
Amherst, Celestial and Crown Platinum to the contemporary patterns and clean
lines of Grand Gourmet, Nantucket Basket and The Painted Garden. Wedgwood China
has a design element that will suit a range of styles and tastes.
With a genuinely full line of carefully crafted, high quality china, no style
has been left out of these collections. Deep dark hues stand alone or are mixed
with clean white perfection and intricately ornate designs ring the outsides of
many collections for a selection so wide, it is awe-inspiring. With collections
that range from the unmatched opulent to the brilliantly simple, Waterford
Wedgwood china is perhaps the widest and most respected lines of china in the
world.
The creation of such timeless pieces as Wedgwood Jasperware (also know as
Wedgwood Jasper) and other designs has secured their place as a trusted and
well-known supplier of high quality china. In 1986, Wedgwood China became a
division of Waterford Crystal and is now referred to as Waterford Wedgwood. This
alliance has not compromised any aspect of Wedgwood’s quality and design, as
they remain a steadfast product in the china marketplace.
For more information on Jasperware visit the following resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedgwood
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasperware
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9043411/jasperware
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