Behind The Pattern: Diving deeper into Wonderlust’s Waterlily

We’ve happily explored the Wonderlust patterns before, and we welcome you to rediscover that creative and curious journey here: Wonderlust: Inspired by the Wedgwood Archive. 

But now, as we introduce new pieces to the Wedgwood story, we take a deeper dive into the history of the Waterlily pattern, along with the shapes and silhouettes that feature heavily in the Wonderlust collection.

The Waterlily pattern first appeared in Wedgwood’s timeline in the early 1800s. It appeared in various colours, printed in red on-glaze, to a blue-printed version with a cut reed border. 
The pattern is deeply inspired by horticulture, and with Josiah Wedgwood’s eldest son, John, founding the RHS, it’s thought that his creative mind might have inspired the larger-than-life waterlily blooms that feature so heavily in the archive.

Did you know that the original pattern is sometimes known as "Darwin Water Lily"? It is believed that Susannah Darwin, Josiah's eldest child and the mother of Charles Darwin, was gifted the Waterlily pattern on her wedding day by her brothers.

Not only did our designers draw inspiration from the archive to create this eye-catching pattern, they also explored Wedgwood’s design history for shape. 

The new Waterlily teapot features a distinctive shape which has appeared along the Wedgwood journey in various forms. In the late 18th century, a teapot similar in shape with the recognisable spout, wide body and handle, was crafted in cane ware.

Inspiration can be sparked from any of our heritage pieces, which is why our creative process is driven by a mix of modern design and the inspiring Wedgwood archive. Merging pattern and shape, conjured up by the creative minds of Wedgwood’s past, allows us to continue to innovate, developing timeless classics for your home to enjoy for years to come.