WEDGWOOD

The Wedgewood story began in 1759 when the founder, Josiah Wedgwood, was just 29, started as an independent potter in Burslem, England. 

Jasper, the most famous of Josiah's inventions, first appeared in 1774 after thousands of experiments. An unglazed vitreous fine stoneware, it was made in blue, green, lilac, yellow, black or white; sometimes one piece combined three or more of these colours. Upon these delicately coloured grounds would be applied the classical and contemporary reliefs which are still made today from moulds reproduced from the originals. The iconic light blue jasper gave rise to the expression "Wedgwood Blue" and remains a recognizable Wedgwood signature worldwide.

Fast forward over 260 years later and Wedgwood is still producing many of the materials Josiah invented, such as Jasper, Queen's Ware and Black Basalt.

Wedgwood jasperware can often be dated by the style of potter's marks, although there are exceptions to the rules: Before 1860: Mark is "Wedgwood". Usually accompanied by other potter markings and a single letter. From 1860 to 1929: A three-letter mark represents in order, the month, the potter, and the year.