Heritage Products
The name of Wedgwood has been associated for centuries with some of the finest ceramics in the world. Mention Jasper, Queen's Ware, Black Basalt or fine bone china tableware, and you instantly think 'Wedgwood'. Discover the origins of these and other superb creations. Revel in the mastery and genius that is Wedgwood.
Early Wares
Even before Josiah Wedgwood left his partnership (1754-1759) with Thomas Whieldon, he was busily experimenting with new ceramic techniques. One of his earliest achievements was the creation of a rich green glaze, which unlike similar glazes being developed by his rivals, resisted crazing in extreme temperatures. The 'red letter day' was 23 March 1759, when he recorded the result of a very early trial in his Experiment Book, saying - 'A Green Glaze, to be laid on common white (or cream colour) biscuit ware. Very good.'
The glaze was utilised on novelty wares shaped as cauliflowers, pineapples and cabbages, which were then very fashionable.
Queen's Ware
Josiah Wedgwood I's perfection of the refined cream coloured earthenware body in the early 1760s was to have a remarkable effect on the ceramics industry. Cream coloured earthenware is the English name for fine lead glaze earthenware. White clay and flint were amongst the principal ingredients used. Flint actually increased the whiteness of the composition, giving a durable body, which could vary in colour from buff to a deep cream, after dipping in a clear glaze.
Wedgwood brought the cream ware body to a degree of perfection never known before. In 1765 he provided Queen Charlotte, wife of George III with a tea and coffee service in the new body. She was so delighted with the ware that she gave Royal Assent for Wedgwood to call this new body Queen's Ware, a name by which it is still known today, and also permission to style himself, 'Potter to Her Majesty'.
The reputation of Queen's Ware was further heightened by a commission received from the Empress Catherine II of Russia for a magnificent dinner and dessert service, which was intended for a Palace known as La Grenouillère.
In later years such was the impact of Queen's Ware that many potteries both in England, as well as abroad, were emulating Wedgwood's development. Such was his success that in the words of Faujas de Saint Fond, - '... created a commerce so active and so universal, that in travelling from Paris to St. Petersburg, from Amsterdam to the farthest point of Sweden, from Dunkirk to the southern extremity of France, one is serviced at every inn from English earthenware...'
Queen's Ware - Cream ware for an Empress and a Queen
In producing his superior cream coloured earthenware, Wedgwood achieved something at the time that no other Staffordshire potter could offer. The experimentation to perfect his early cream ware took place over several years during the early 1760's, but by 1763 he was able to write that he had achieved - 'A species of earthenware for the table, quite new in appearance, covered with a rich and brilliant glaze, bearing sudden alterations of heat and cold, manufactured with ease and expedition...'.
Queen's Ware's reputation was further heightened by the commission by the Empress Catherine II of Russia for a magnificent 952-piece dinner and dessert service in 1773. It was intended for a palace known as La Grenouillère, as it stood on marshy ground, which was known as the 'froggery'. Each item comprising the service was characterised by a small green frog crest, hence its popular name of the 'Frog' service.
