Heritage Products - Page 5
Prestige Pieces
The Portland Vase marked the peak of Josiah's achievements in Jasper, and of his career, but Wedgwood created many other wondrous pieces in the 18th century. In recent months, Wedgwood has celebrated some of these outstanding examples of Jasper by issuing reproductions. Incidentally, such masterpieces amply demonstrate that the traditional skills of modelling and ornamenting Jasper are given as much importance today as in the time of Josiah Wedgwood.
These skills are shown to impressive effect in the 'white on pale blue' Ceres and Cybele Candlesticks, originally modelled in c.1786 by Henry Webber. The Greek goddess Cybele, Great Mother of the Gods, holds a cornucopia surmounted by a candleholder and is accompanied by a lion. Ceres, Roman goddess of the harvest, bears a sheaf of corn and a torch, the flames of which form the candleholder. Since these candlesticks are extremely ornate, requiring many days or intensive work, only 50 pairs could be made.
Perhaps the most prestigious of all recent Jasper issues is a limited edition Portland blue Canopic Vase, inspired by Egyptian funerary urns and similar to several vases produced in the 18th century. The vase is decorated with almost 120 separate bas-relief cameos and motifs, each applied by hand, then hand-gilded with 22 carat gold. Such is the intricacy of this work that the Canopic Vase sells for £3,200.
Bas-Reliefs
Jasper is exceptional in ceramic history for two reasons. Firstly, it has been in continuous production for more than two centuries, except for a brief hiatus in the 1940s. Secondly, the techniques and skills used in its manufacture have scarcely changed over time.
The mid 18th century saw a very popular neo-classical revival. Josiah Wedgwood's intention in developing Jasper was to produce a body which could be used to simulate classical ornamental ware with its typical bas-relief decoration.
Applying these bas-relief ornaments calls for supreme skill. Jasper clay is pressed into the bas-relief moulds and left to harden slightly. The ornamenters then pick up the finely-detailed decorations with 'needles' similar to dentists' tools, and position them carefully onto the moistened surface of the Jasper piece. Positioning is crucial, especially with a circular frieze or a complex scene. Also, the pressure used to fix the bas-relief to its support must be finely judged; too much and the fine detail will be blurred; too little and the ornament may lift during firing.
Fine Bone China
Today, Wedgwood is known world-wide principally for two wares, Jasper and Fine Bone China. Josiah died more than 15 years before the introduction of bone china by Wedgwood, but there is no doubt that he would have been as proud of its quality then and now as he was of his own Jasper and Black Basalt.
The First Wedgwood Fine Bone China
It was Josiah Wedgwood's son, Josiah Wedgwood II, who was responsible for the company's first bone china wares. The prospect of following in his genius father's footsteps did not, understandably, tempt Josiah II. However, when the company's fortunes began to wane in the early 19th century, he took over the helm and devoted his energies to the development and introduction of Wedgwood fine bone china.
From more or less a standing start in 1810, Josiah took just two years to achieve his goal. Although sales of the china were slow at the outset, Byerley, the former head of the company and then looking after operations in London, reported, 'Those who are judges approve of it very much. I think your china excels any English porcelain which I have seen...some pieces equal the French'. High praise indeed.
Of this early bone china produced between 1812 and 1828, the most popular patterns were a Chinese 'Willow pattern' type landscape, vines and floral designs.
Monarchs and Presidents
Ever since the time of Josiah Wedgwood, world leaders have admired and purchased the company's wares. In Britain alone, every monarch since George III and Queen Charlotte has acquired some Wedgwood. Since the late 19th century, many of these items have been made of fine bone china. Services and sets can be found in the Vatican, Buckingham Palace, the Kremlin, and the White House.
The American President Theodore Roosevelt commissioned one of the largest fine bone china services ever made, consisting of 1,282 pieces, for formal occasions at the White House. More recently, in 1995 Wedgwood delivered an extremely large banqueting service to the Kremlin, Moscow.
