Engine Turning

Josiah Wedgwood introduced engine turning as a technique to the ceramic industry in 1763. Engine turning is similar in its action to a standard wood or metal lathe except that it has an eccentric motion. It reciprocates in a horizontal plane while the shaft and object being worked rotate.

The cutting tool is held stationary, cutting flutes or more complex patterns as the reciprocating motion brings the object into contact. In this way a variety of repetitive patterns can be cut.

Saxon Fluted Lamp

Inspired by the iconic Panther Vase, this lamp recreates the austere classic shape of the original for contemporary lighting. The original, on which this reproduction is based, was produced in engine turned black basalt in about 1770 and is a fine representative of a very productive period in the partnership of Josiah Wedgwood and Thomas Bentley, especially in the creation of many fine ornamental vases exploiting the 'vase frenzy' of the time.

Wedgwood saw himself as 'Vase maker General to the Universe' and it is no exaggeration to say that Wedgwood and Bentley vases caused a sensation in London.

Dicing

Dicing is a Jasper pattern produced on the engine turning lathe. The chequered effect is obtained by cutting through a coloured dip to a contrasting colour (usually white) at regular intervals.

Pegasus Diced Plate

When Josiah Wedgwood I first issued his now world-famous Jasper Ware, pale blue with white Jasper bas-relief ornamentation was frequently used. Tri-colour Jasper is relatively rare. Here we have an exceptional four colours - Saxon blue, white, lilac and dark turquoise.