Wedgwood ware is a type of pottery first made by the English potter Josiah Wedgwood about 1759. The term Wedgwood ware generally refers to Wedgwood’s fine creamware, a cream-colored earthenware. In 1765, Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, ordered a set of creamware tableware. She was so pleased with it that she allowed Wedgwood to name the pottery Queen’s Ware. It is still known and sold by that name.
In addition to Queen’s Ware, Wedgwood produced other kinds of pottery. They included Egyptian black or black basalt, a black stoneware; rosso antico, a red stoneware; and a stoneware called jasper that came in blue, green, lavender, pink, and yellow. Many of the jasper pieces had delicate raised designs, usually in white.
Wedgwood’s pottery reflected the English taste for ancient Greek and Roman designs. He made copies of antique vases and sculptured ornaments, as well as chess sets, buttons, cameos for jewelry, and plaques to decorate furniture. Wedgwood also manufactured statuettes, flowerpots, and other practical or decorative objects. Wedgwood ware is still made today in Barlaston, near Stoke-on-Trent.
